Lincoln Journal Star 4/23/2026
Letter: Egger has earned another term
As a past secretary, paralegal and office manager for 47 years in the Public Defender's Office and having worked with Kristi Egger during her time as a law clerk and Deputy Public Defender, I witnessed her ethics, not only as an attorney but as a person. She's handled every docket in the office, devotes time and energy way past the 8-5 clock, and leads by example.
I read Kristi's opponent's comments (Journal Star, March 22) insultingly suggesting the work of paralegals in the office amounts to "answering phones and scanning."
I wish to set the record straight. Paralegals in the office already work at full capacity. They gather information from newly lodged individuals for attorneys for court that day. They attach police reports in the case-management system, enter persons involved and check for office conflicts. They coordinate clients for warrant court and obtain clothes for clients' court hearings. Paralegals assist the attorneys and staff with special projects and reports, and so much more.
Since being elected, Kristi is working hard to set things right in the office, regrouping from COVID, recuperating from the prior official's lack of leadership, and accepting the challenges of a changing workforce. Kristi persists through all this and her experience, dedication and integrity should earn her a second term as Public Defender.
-Monica Ross-Williams, Lincoln
Lincoln Journal Star 4/21/2026; Hickman Voice 4/24/2026
Letter: Egger is a public servant
As an attorney who worked in the Office over 30 years, I encourage the voters of Lancaster County to support the incumbent, Kristi Egger, in the race for Lancaster County Public Defender. I understand that Kristi’s challenger, Sarah Newell, has the endorsement of several politicians. That is exactly why we should NOT vote for Sarah. Kristi is not a politician and does aspire to be one. Four years ago, Kristi defeated the incumbent who also had endorsements from politicians. She won that race with hard work, honesty, and integrity - not with political favors.
Unlike Sarah Newell, Kristi has spent her entire legal career with the Public Defender’s Office. Sarah Newell left the Public Defender’s Office to join the Commission of Public Advocacy, from which she was involuntarily discharged. In 2024, leaving her position at a private law firm, Sarah asked Kristi for a job the Public Defender’s Office, where she continues to work while campaigning. Kristi could terminate her, as did the Douglas County Attorney when his Deputy Attorney filed to run against him. The fact that Kristi has not done so demonstrates that she puts clients before politics.
Kristi’s opponent plans changes to the Office that are both unnecessary and costly. Kristi has demonstrated fiscal responsibility during her term, which is especially important in these current economic times. Kristi does the job every day; she comes into the Office early and stays late. She stands with the people she serves. She listens to them and always keeps an open mind regarding the needs of her staff and the clients they serve. Kristi is an advocate for the clients and the people of Lancaster County. Vote for Kristi Egger!
- Susan McAdams Tast
Lincoln Journal Star 4/7/2026
Letter: Egger has earned another term
I worked with Kristi Egger for 30 years before retiring from the Lancaster County Public Defender's Office. Kristi has spent her entire career as a public defender: first with Hall County, then as a deputy at Lancaster County, then as the elected public defender for Lancaster County. She has handled cases in all dockets within the office. As an experienced attorney in the office, she was often asked to step in and do whatever was necessary for the best interests of the office. Kristi willingly accepted every challenge. She also took time to mentor the less experienced attorneys in the office.
When Kristi decided to run for the elected public defender position, she gave notice in order to ease the transition of her caseload and avoid creating a divisive environment. Although it was difficult to leave the office where she had worked for 30 years, she knew it was best for the office.
When I first came to the Public Defender’s Office, there was a core group of older experienced attorneys who remained with the office throughout their careers. The job is challenging work and is not for everyone. I believe that any turnover at the office is simply the reality of today’s work environment.
Kristi is not a politician. She is dedicated to the mission of the PD Office. No one works harder or has more integrity than Kristi Egger. She has earned the right to four more years as our public defender.
-Margene Timm, Lincoln
Submitted to Lincoln Journal Star 11/3/2022
Subject: Kristi Egger epitomizes public defense and is the obvious choice November 8th
I served with Kristi Egger for many years under Dennis Keefe. During that time I had the privilege of calling Kristi my mentor and friend. I still do.
Having recently entered private practice, I can attest that she is uniquely suited to guide the office through its necessary renaissance.
Public Defenders choose to serve because they believe in the cause of equal justice and are willing to make personal financial sacrifices to level the playing field for their indigent clients. Public defenders face unique challenges unparalleled in private practice. Understanding those unique challenges is a necessary component of adopting effective policies for the office.
Kristi is the only candidate who has that unique understanding gained from an entire career spent serving indigent defendants as a deputy public defender. She also is the only candidate who made a personal financial sacrifice to do what she thought was best for the office. She took a leap of faith and retired from a career she loved so that she might have the chance to restore the office to its former standing.
She has spent her “early retirement” walking door-to-door across Lancaster County sharing her vision and spreading the word about why equal justice is so important. Being a public defender isn’t just a job; it is an identity. It is Kristi’s identity and given the chance, she will continue to tirelessly fight for the indigent defendants of Lancaster County.
-Sarah Newell, Lincoln
Lincoln Journal Star 10/14/2022
For Lancaster County Public Defender, the Journal Star editorial board endorses Kristi Egger.
“For Lancaster County Public Defender, the Journal Star editorial board endorses Kristi Egger.
Egger, a Democrat, quit her job as a 32-year deputy public defender to run for and bring new leadership to the office. That leadership would include hands-on work in the courtroom, reviewing case loads to better serve clients and county taxpayers by reducing the number of cases referred to outside attorneys, and expanding efforts to increase the use of problem-solving courts.
Republican Trevin Preble is aiming at changing the office’s culture, too, increasing the use of problem solving courts and other tools to address any client’s mental health and substance abuse issues and would bring his experience as a criminal defense attorney to the courtroom.
Egger's experience and career-long dedication to the office, however, earn her the endorsement.”
Lincoln Journal Star 10/3/2022
Letter: Egger best for public defender
“Kristi Egger is running for public defender in Lancaster County. She has my full support, and I urge you to vote for her in this election.
The Public Defender’s Office is not a high-profile political office, but its core function, providing high-quality legal services to indigents, is essential to the principles of equal justice and fairness of process.
From my 36 years of experience as Lancaster County public defender, I believe that the most important qualifications for this position are integrity, experience and commitment to the mission of the office. Kristi Egger has all three.
Having been her colleague for almost 30 years, I can personally attest to Kristi’s integrity and good character. She is by far the most experienced candidate in this race, with more than 33 years of experience in providing direct legal services in all types of cases.
Her commitment to the mission of the office is unquestioned. Kristi worked part time as a law clerk in my office while in law school and took a job in a public defender’s office in another county (at great personal sacrifice) until a position did open up in our office and I hired her.
Please join me in voting for Kristi Egger for Lancaster County public defender.”
Dennis R. Keefe, Lincoln
Lincoln Journal Star 10/18/2022
Letter: Egger has right experience
“The election for Lancaster County Public Defender is technically a partisan race, with a Democrat and Republican candidate. However, voters should make their choice for this race based not on party but rather on the qualifications that matter most: experience, dedication, competence and service.
The mission of the Public Defender’s Office is to provide constitutionally-mandated, quality legal representation to defendants who cannot afford to hire an attorney. An experienced public defender will run an efficient office that serves clients while saving taxpayer dollars.
Conversely, inexperienced leadership in the Public Defender’s Office could be disastrous. We only need to look at the $28 million judgment against Gage County in the Beatrice 6 case to see what happens when the justice system does not run as it should. We cannot let this happen in Lancaster County.
Kristi Egger has nearly four times the experience of her opponent. For 33 years she worked as a deputy public defender. Kristi has handled thousands of cases and every type of case to which the office is appointed. Someone who’s only been an attorney for less than 10 years and has never even worked in a public defender’s office cannot come close to this record of service.
Kristi is not a politician. She has devoted her entire career to the mission of the Public Defender’s Office. Help ensure that Lancaster County's justice system runs effectively and efficiently. Vote for Kristi Egger for Lancaster County Public Defender.
Margene Timm, Lincoln
“ I am writing to voice my support for the re-election of Kristi Egger for Lancaster County Public Defender. I have had the privilege of practicing law in Lancaster County for over thirty years, and have gotten to know Kristi on a professional level, having seen her in court countless times, representing the under-represented indigent citizens of our state. Her zealous, diligent, tireless work on behalf of those who are in need of a voice to advocate for them, has been an inspiration to me throughout my career. I cannot count the number of times I have turned to Kristi for advice, insight, and wisdom. She has been a teacher, a role model, and mentor for innumerable young attorneys, such that her influence in the legal community will continue to be felt for years to come. Kristi’s passion for service is seen through her daily courtroom work, in the personal attention she gives each client, and her many years of excellent work at the highest level. I enthusiastically support Kristi for re-election as Public Defender.”
-Brett McArthur, Brett McArthur Law, Lincoln
“Kristi is a zealous advocate for our indigent population in Lancaster County. She has a stellar reputation of upholding the Constitutional rights of her clients and has worked diligently to ensure that the folks she represents have her time and attention. Kristi will show up and do the job.”
-Susan Tast, Lancaster County Deputy Public Defender; Asst. City Attorney, (retired)
“My friend and former employee Kristi Egger is running for election to the office of Lancaster County Public Defender. Please vote for her. I have known Kristi for over thirty years. I have personally observed her to be a hardworking, dedicated fighter for the rights of those accused of crimes. She is a lawyer who can be counted upon in a struggle. Kristi will be there! The office of Public Defender is an important component of county government. The office holder should be someone who cares about the mission and the county employees who work there. Kristi’s election to the office would be a distinct improvement to the leadership of that office and I sincerely urge the voters of Lancaster County to elect her.
-Sean Brennan, Brennan, Nielsen, & Wooster Law Office, Lincoln
“Please join me in voting for Kristi Egger as Lancaster County Public Defender. It has often been said that a society is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members. It is hard to imagine a more vulnerable person than one who is poor and accused of a crime or facing a civil commitment. It is not easy to represent these people. In addition to the fact that they are afflicted with the worst disease of all - poverty - they frequently suffer from mental illness, addiction, and a lack of basic living and social skills. A public defender is part lawyer, part therapist, and part social worker. I’ve known Kristi for 25 years, and I cannot think of a person who combines these roles better than her.”
-Matt Catlett, Law Office of Matt Catlett, Lincoln
“In my observation in Lancaster County District and County Court, Ms. Egger is a zealous advocate for her clients. She is well-versed in the law. She exhibits the utmost professionalism toward prosecutors while tirelessly fighting for the rights of indigent defendants.”
-Douglas Kerns, Kerns Law Office, Lincoln
“I’ve known Kristi for many years. In that time I have known her to always stand with the queer community. She was the first to volunteer with the county Democrats for Star City Pride and enthusiastically engaged with our community on our legal rights and responsibilities. As our county Public Defender she will continue to work to empower all marginalized communities. The more we know about the legal system the better we can navigate it. Kristi Egger stands with us.”
--Michael Marcheck, Chair, Nebraska Stonewall Democrats
Organizations
Secular Democrats of Nebraska
Women Who Run Nebraska
Attorney Endorsements
Jon Braaten, ACW Law Firm, Lincoln
Sean J. Brennan, Brennan, Nielsen, & Wooster Law Office, Lincoln
Catherine Brooks, Creighton University School of Law, Omaha
Linsey Camplin, McHenry Haszard Law, Lincoln
Matt Catlett, Law Office of Matt Catlett, Lincoln
Stephanie Flynn, Stephanie Flynn Law Office (retired), Lincoln
Michael Gooch, Attorney at Law, Omaha (former Lancaster County Deputy Public Defender)
Sharon Hansen, Koukol and Johnson, LLC. (retired), Omaha
Nanette Hessee, J.D.
Mary J. Hewitt, Choice Change Consequence, LLC., Lincoln
Stephanie Hupp, McHenry Haszard Law, Lincoln
Douglas Kerns, Kerns Law Office, Lincoln
Jeanelle Kleveland, Kleveland Law Office, Lincoln
Don Kohtz, Markel Corporation, Omaha
Brett McArthur, Brett McArthur Law, Lincoln
Shirley Mora James, Mora James Law, Lincoln
Kristi Newcomb, IAT Insurance Group, Lincoln
Nancy Peterson, N K Peterson Law, Lincoln
Shelley Stall, Director of UNL Student Legal Services (retired), Lincoln
Gail Steen, Steen Law Office, Lincoln
Susan Tast, Lancaster County Dep. Public Defender (retired); Asst. City Attorney (retired), Lincoln
J. Bruce Teichman, J. Bruce Teichman Law Office, Lincoln
Mariclare Thomas, Mariclare Thomas, PC LLO, Lincoln
Darik Von Loh, Hernandez Frantz, Von Loh, Lincoln
Chad Wythers, Wythers Law, Seward