<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Nebraska Secretary of State Campaign]]></title><description><![CDATA[Candidate: Paul Rumbaugh
Office: Nebraska Secretary of State
Party: Nebraska Working People Party
Home: Omaha
Education and History:
Paul Rumbaugh was raised in Omaha, Nebraska along with his brother Russell by their parents Steven Rumbaugh and Janie Rumbaugh. His parents graduated from Rock County High School in Bassett, NE  prior to moving to Lincoln and then settling in Omaha. Steven worked as an architect for the Army Corps of Engineers for 33 years until his retirement.

Paul was born on April 3, 1978 in Heidelberg Germany while his father was assigned there with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers from 1977 -1978. He was born in the hospital on the U.S. Army base in Heidelberg.  Because of this, instead of a normal Birth Certificate, Paul has a Certification of Birth Abroad from the U.S. State Department. The family moved back to Omaha, NE in March of 1980, just shy of Paul’s second birthday. 

Paul graduated from Omaha, Central High School, attended University of Nebraska - LIncoln, and then after transferring his credits, earned his Bachelor of Science in Security Management from Bellevue University. In 2026 Paul was  certified as a Fellow of the Institute for Court Management (ICM).

Rumbaugh has lived in Heidelberg, Germany (as a toddler), Omaha, NE, Lincoln, NE, Bellevue, NE and Sioux Falls, SD. He moved back to Omaha with his now wife, Blair Rumbaugh and two children, from South Dakota in June of 2009.
Occupational history:
In the private sector I have worked for or with businesses at all levels, from local family owned, to regional, national, and international companies. I have been licensed through the state of Nebraska and held a Nebraska Resident Life & Health license at two separate times, as well as being a certified Notary Public. For over two decades, I have worked and managed in roles for sales, customer experience, and operations  in technology, telecommunications, and software with a focus on risk management and mitigation as well as business continuity. Paul shifted from the private sector to the public sector in 2023 when he began working for Douglas County and the Nebraska Fourth Judicial District Clerk of the District Court’s Office.

Rumbaugh has worked for national companies such as Hayneedle, Northwestern Mutual Life and Aflac. He worked with insurance for risk mitigation and protection of earnings and in e-commerce, both B2B and B2C customer base in a sales and operations position. At a regional level, Paul was with Qwest Communications in sales and retention management. Paul has worked for multiple companies that partnered or contracted with telecommunication giants, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel,  On the international stage Paul worked as an Account Executive for Aptean Software handling accounts for businesses of all sizes from small to large both nationally and internationally. Paul has also worked locally with many family owned or sole proprietorships and understands the struggle and slim margins of error small businesses face every day.
Statement:
I am running with the Nebraska Working People Party for Secretary of State to protect Nebraska and ensure that we are not ruled by “Party” officials, faceless bureaucrats and unelected officials outside of Nebraska. We must form a bulwark around our state and maintain and claw back control of our decisions and governance. The Secretary of State’s Office needs to display transparency, accountability, and confidence in and for the citizens of this State. This election is about one thing and one question: Will Nebraskans continue to determine their future or not?

I am a former registered Republican that left the party and became non-partisan in 2009. Like many others, I have felt that the Republican Party has and continues to leave voters like me behind, and I no longer see my values portrayed by the leadership of that party both in Nebraska and Nationally. 

The last time a non-Republican held this office term ended in 1941.  Any questions or concerns about Nebraska’s elections and lack of transparency fall at the feet of the Republican party. Giving control of our voters' names, addresses, political affiliations, and other personal information to party insiders in D.C. does not make it more transparent and fair for Nebraskans, it only helps those that want to work behind the curtain in the dark with no accountability.

I am fighting to ensure that Nebraskans decide which Nebraskans can vote and how they can vote. Elections are a fundamental State’s right protected in the Constitution and any effort to remove that right from the state should be fought, by every legal avenue, to ensure that we protect Nebraska and our patriotic Nebraskans that work on our ranches, farms, in our factories, cities, towns, villages, and who have built the true heartland of America here in Nebraska. 
Paul Rumbaugh is an American politician from Nebraska who has extensive background in private sector operations and management, both at the local level as well as internationally. He is currently working for Douglas County as a Special Project Manager. He is currently running for Secretary of State for Nebraska in 2026 with the Nebraska Working People Party. 

Early life and education
Paul Rumbaugh was raised in Omaha, Nebraska along with his brother Russell by their parents Steven Rumbaugh and Janie Rumbaugh. His parents graduated from Rock County High School in Bassett, NE  prior to moving to Lincoln and then settling in Omaha. Steven worked as an architect for the Army Corps of Engineers for 33 years until his retirement.

Paul was born on April 3, 1978 in Heidelberg Germany while his father was assigned there with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers from 1977 -1978. He was born in the hospital on the U.S. Army base in Heidelberg.  Because of this, instead of a normal Birth Certificate, Paul has a Certification of Birth Abroad from the U.S. State Department. The family moved back to Omaha, NE in March of 1980, just shy of Rumbaugh’s second birthday. 

Paul graduated from Omaha, Central High School, earned his Bachelor of Science in Security Management from Bellevue University, and was certified as a Fellow of the Institute for Court Management (ICM).

Rumbaugh has lived in Heidelberg, Germany (as a toddler), Omaha, NE, Lincoln, NE, Bellevue, NE and Sioux Falls, SD. He moved back to Omaha with his now wife, Blair Rumbaugh and two children, from South Dakota in June of 2009.

Career
In the private sector Rumbaugh has worked on or with businesses at all levels, from local family owned, to regional, national, and international companies. He has been licensed through the state of Nebraska and held a Nebraska Resident Life & Health license at two separate times, as well as being a certified Notary Public. Rumbaugh has spent years working and managing in roles for sales, customer experience, and operations  in technology, telecommunications, and software with a focus on risk management and mitigation as well as business continuity. Paul shifted from the private sector to the public sector in 2023 when he began working  for Douglas County and the Nebraska Fourth Judicial District Clerk of the District Court’s Office.

Rumbaugh has worked for national companies such as Hayneedle, Northwestern Mutual Life and Aflac. He worked with insurance for risk mitigation and protection of earnings and in e-commerce, both B2B and B2C customer base in a sales and operations position. At a regional level, Paul was with Qwest Communications in sales and retention management. Paul has worked for multiple companies that partnered or contracted with telecommunication giants, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel,  On the international stage Paul worked as an Account Executive for Aptean Software handling accounts for businesses of all sizes from small to large both nationally and internationally. Paul has also worked locally with many family owned or sole proprietorships and understands the struggle and slim margins of error small businesses face every day.

Secretary of State Campaign

Reason I am Running:
I am running to protect Nebraska votes and voters ensuring that we are not ruled by a conglomerate of “Party” officials, faceless bureaucrats and unelected officials outside of Nebraska. We must form a metaphorical wall around our state and maintain and claw back control of our decisions and governance. The Secretary of State’s Office needs to display transparency, accountability, and confidence in and for the citizens of this State. 

This election is about one thing and one question: Will Nebraskans continue to determine their future or not?

Rumbaugh is running with the Nebraska Working People Party for Secretary of State. While Paul lives in Omaha, both he and his wife have extensive family ties throughout Nebraska. He is a former registered Republican that left the party and became non-partisan when he moved back to Nebraska from South Dakota. Paul has felt that the Republican Party had and continues to leave him behind and no longer sees his values portrayed by the leadership of that party both in Nebraska and nationally. Somehow the Republican party now seems to believe that deficits are fine and we are seeing huge deficits in the Nebraska State budget. That is because our state’s leadership is more concerned with secret no-bid contracts, paying mistresses with Nebraskan’s tax payer money and pushing to take away our voting voice. 

The current Republican Party has spent more time trying to change our Presidential election process to be “Winner-Take-All” instead of ensuring that each of the 3 Congressional Districts votes are heard. There is no benefit of “Winner-Take-All” except for the National Parties.  They want to take the ability for early voting and mail in voting away, putting a massive burden on our rural citizens that are the backbone of this state. Decreasing tools such as vote by mail hurts all patriotic Nebraskans especially those that do not live in a city, town, or village. Eliminating or reducing voting stations hurts all hard working Nebraskans. In Nebraska, we know that cattle, farmstock, weather, and plants don’t take time off or stop needing care because it happens to be election day.  Limiting access to voting negatively affects those that work with the land, healthcare, and emergency services, as they don’t get to determine “time off”.

My main focus for running for Secretary of State is about ensuring that Nebraskans decide which Nebraska citizens can vote and how they vote. Elections are a fundamental State’s right protected in the Constitution and any effort to remove that right from the state should be fought, by every legal avenue, to ensure that we protect Nebraska and those patriotic citizens that work with their hands, bodies, and minds on our ranches, on our farms, in our factories, our cities, towns, villages, and who have built the true heartland of America here in Nebraska. 

Rather than outsourcing our responsibilities to D.C. I will focus on providing our County Election Offices with the best training, support, and tools to ensure fair and safe elections with the ability to audit and report on results. These tools will be based on actual needs of each county and a look at historical election fraud in Nebraska to ensure we are answering actual and real problems; not just following scare tactics about “hacking”  from outside of Nebraska. 

I have  listened to and watched the state and national Republican party as they have signaled that their goal is to take that control away from Nebraska.  Their actions outweigh their empty speech and false promises. believe them and know that Nebraskans need to fight back, retake, and defend our state’s rights and autonomy. 

I have faith in my fellow Nebraskans and truly believe that out of the approximately 900,000 registered Republicans and nonpartisans in this state, a majority see the same problems and how the Republican Party and their party politics are hurting Nebraskans and leading us in a direction that we don’t want. The problem is that the 2nd biggest political party in Nebraska has not built a reasonable alternative to the Republicans. I am offering myself up as an alternative option to allow our state to step out of the way of the fire the Republicans are fanning the flames of.

Who determines who is eligible to vote in Nebraska should not be controlled by a nameless bureaucrat or unelected official in DC or any other state. California, New York, and Florida don’t have the right to tell us how we hold our elections as long as all Constitutional requirements are met including our own State Constitution.  The Republican National Party wants to create a list of all Nebraskans names and political associations. They want to have this list to be able to take action against those who do not conform to the National Party.  

Access and trust is important in our government, and more importantly in the Office of Secretary of State. This will be the foundation of every action the office will take under the leadership of Rumbaugh. It is important that the Office of the Secretary of State is not empowered to be run like a for-profit business. Fiscal stewardship is paramount, and all expenses, fees, costs will be continuously evaluated to ensure that they reflect the true needs of the workers and business owners of this state so they  can have faith in the office. Paul will  make sure that the Secretary of State’s Office is trustworthy, operationally strong, and up-to-date with the most efficient technology. 

We need to ensure that the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office is using the best systems and tools to ensure that we are efficient and loyal stewards of Nebraska tax-payers money. Business services, especially for family owned, small business, and 1st time businesses, need to be provided with efficient tools and processes to make it easy and preferable to do business in our state. The duty of the Secretary of State to promote commerce within Nebraska and without including our trade partners and allies. My private sector business background in operations and project management, as well as my previous union membership with the CWA,  provides a solid foundation to be able to look at all sides of the issues for businesses. The goal is to strengthen our Nebraska business base at the same time ensuring that we have well paying jobs for Nebraskans.

As Nebraskans voting today, we have a sacred responsibility to vote to improve Nebraska for our children. I will take my responsibilities as the state’s main advisor on youth civics education. Increasing our cultural exchange and educational studies between Nebraska and foreign nations is very important as we prepare our youth for life inside and outside of Nebraska. Improving educational opportunities for Nebraska students from preschool to university will only strengthen and improve Nebraska’s standing among our fellow states and our foreign allies and business partners. 

Nebraska was built on the business of beef, corn, soy beans, feed grains, and manufacturing. This election, we need to stand strong and demand answers on policies being pushed that hurt Nebraskans. We are not a state that wants handouts. We want and need to have the ability to work hard, prosper , and live our lives. 

Failure of the Republican Party

The last time a non-Republican held the office of Nebraska Secretary of State was from 1933 to 1941 by Harry R Swanson.  While protecting and ensuring fair and safe elections is one of the most important jobs of the office, any questions or concerns about Nebraska’s elections and lack of transparency fall at the feet of the Republican party. Giving control of our voters' names, addresses, political affiliations, and other personal information to party insiders in D.C. does not make it more transparent and fair for Nebraskans, it only helps those that want to work behind the curtain in the dark with no accountability.

All Nebraskans are bearing the cost of oil wars and embargos, rising inflation, and trade wars in our daily lives whether as consumers or producers. Nebraskan beef producers and ranchers are faced with loss of export options and unknown foreign beef flooding our markets.. Nebraska farmers are facing unprecedented levels of deteriorating markets for our crops. Nebraska manufacturers and businesses are facing hard decisions on staffing, rising prices, or closing shops.  Nebraska has to find our own answers. 

The Republican party has shown a callous disregard to Nebraskans and they just assume that whoever runs for Secretary of State on the Republican ticket will be elected. It is Paul’s belief that this has led to leaders of the state party to concede too much power to the National Party and are just following the wishes of these “power brokers” from the West and East Coasts to the detriment of Nebraskans. 

Nebraska and Nebraskans face a tough battle to ensure that our state remains our state and regain our strengths. The path of the National and State Republican Party has led to trouble for Nebraska businesses, Nebraska Ranchers, Nebraska Farmers, and Nebraska People who work for a living. It is time to start taking steps to hold the party leaders and politicians accountable to the actual needs of the great people of this state. One of the first steps is to take action and vote for the first true alternative to a Republican National Party puppet for Secretary of State.

Nebraska State Leadership has been controlled by the Republican party for too long, and the Party has abandoned the working people of Nebraska. Nebraska needs an alternative beyond just the unelectable Democratic Party candidates to vote for. We have to  make the Republican Party take notice that they have lost the trust of Nebraskans.

Nebraska Leadership has been in Republican hands since:
Governor since 1999. 
Ben Nelson was term-limited in 1999.
Nebraska Secretary of State since 1941.
See Harry R. Swanson
Nebraska Attorney General since 1940 for all but 2 months and 1 day.
An appointed Democrat held the office for less than 2 months. 
Prior to those 2 months, Harold P Caldwell held the office for 1 day in 1951
The last non-Republican elected to AG was Richard C Hunter
1937-1939
Less than 58 days out of approximately 31,300 days
Nebraska State Auditor since 2007
A Republican has held the office since 1939 except to 7 years

Any lack of trust and transparency in Nebraska elections lies at the feet of the Republican Party. Paul’s opponent, Scott Petersen is a figurehead of the Nebraska Republican Party and he is part of their leadership. He currently serves as Vice Chair of Nebraska’s Second Congressional District and is a member of the Nebraska Republican Party Executive Committee. Petersen previously chaired the Douglas County Republican Party and was a National Delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he cast his vote for Donald J. Trump. Voting for him is voting to allow faceless bureaucrats and political party leaders to determine, in back rooms and secret meetings, Nebraskan’s right to determine their own elections. Scott Petersen’s loyalty is to the Republican Party and billionaires, not the working people of Nebraska.

I think a picture of the flag and/or the capital building. I want just a small thumbnail of my headshot.

Tagline:
“Protecting Nebraska Votes and Voices”

Synopsis: 
Reason I am Running:
I am running to protect Nebraska votes and voters ensuring that we are not ruled by a conglomerate of “Party” officials, faceless bureaucrats and unelected officials outside of Nebraska. We must form a bulwark around our state and maintain and claw back control of our decisions and governance. The Secretary of State’s Office needs to display transparency, accountability, and confidence in and for the citizens of this State. 

This election is about one thing and one question: Will Nebraskans continue to determine their future or not?


Bullet Points 
Republican and Democrat:
673 words in this section. 

Former Registered Republican:
I feel that the Republican Party has and continues to leave me behind and I no longer see my values portrayed by the leadership of that party in Nebraska. I made the change and became non-partisan in 2009. 
Protect Nebraska Votes and Voices
My main focus for running for Secretary of State is about ensuring that Nebraskans decide which Nebraskans can vote and how we can vote.
Republicans are playing games with our votes
There is no benefit of “Winner-Take-All” for the great citizens of Nebraska, just for the national party leaders. 
State’s Rights
Elections are a fundamental State’s right protected in the Constitution and any effort to remove that right from the state should be fought, by every legal avenue, to ensure that we protect Nebraska and our patriotic Nebraska citizens.
Actions speak louder than words
Republican Party leaders continue to signal that their goal is to take control away from Nebraska.  Their actions outweigh their empty speech and false promises of their candidates. 
Republicans can’t keep pushing the blame on “others”.
1941 was the last time a non-Republican held the office of Nebraska Secretary of State.  Lack of transparency and security surrounding Nebraska’s past elections are the fault of Republican leaders. 
Nebraska Businesses and People are hurting
Nebraska and Nebraskans face tough battles right now. The path of the Republican Party has led to completely avoidable troubles for Nebraska Businesses, Ranchers, Farmers, and the People who work for a living. 
Republicans have failed in Leadership
The Republican party has abandoned the working people of Nebraska. Nebraska needs an alternative beyond just the unelectable Democratic Party candidates to vote for. They have lost our trust.
Election transparency and security
My opponent, Scott Petersen is a figurehead of the Nebraska Republican Party and he is part of their leadership. He currently serves as Vice Chair of Nebraska’s Second Congressional District and is a member of the Nebraska Republican Party Executive Committee. Petersen previously chaired the Douglas County Republican Party and was a National Delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention, Voting for him is voting to allow faceless bureaucrats and political party leaders to determine, in back rooms and secret meetings, Nebraskan’s right to determine their own elections. Scott Petersen’s loyalty is to the Republican Party and billionaires, not the working people of Nebraska.
Nebraska’s Power
Nebraska was built on the business of beef, corn, soy beans, feed grains, and manufacturing. We are not a state that wants handouts. 
Protecting Nebraska for the next generation
As Nebraskans voting today, we have a sacred responsibility to vote to improve Nebraska for our children. The Republican leaders are actively making our State worse for our children. I will take my responsibilities as the state’s main advisor on youth civics education ensuring cultural exchange and educational studies.
]]></description><link>https://www.rumbaughfornebraska.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 03:03:47 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.rumbaughfornebraska.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Join Us: Volunteer for Nebraska Secretary of State Campaign]]></title><description><![CDATA[Volunteering for a political campaign can be a transformative experience. It offers a unique opportunity to engage with your community, advocate for important issues, and support candidates who align with your values. If you are passionate about making a difference in Nebraska, consider joining us in the Nebraska Secretary of State campaign. This post will guide you through the reasons to volunteer, the roles available, and how you can get involved. Eye-level view of a vibrant campaign rally...]]></description><link>https://www.rumbaughfornebraska.com/post/join-us-volunteer-for-nebraska-secretary-of-state-campaign</link><guid isPermaLink="false">0625608a-e769-4cd7-9413-b0b2e7a408b5</guid><pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:36:42 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Rumbaugh For Nebraska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breaking Down Our Campaign for Nebraska Secretary of State]]></title><description><![CDATA[Running a campaign for a significant position like the Nebraska Secretary of State is no small feat. It requires a clear vision, strategic planning, and a deep understanding of the electorate. In this blog post, we will break down our campaign strategy, the challenges we faced, and the successes we achieved along the way. Eye-level view of a Nebraska landscape with a clear blue sky Understanding the Role of the Secretary of State Before diving into our campaign specifics, it’s essential to...]]></description><link>https://www.rumbaughfornebraska.com/post/breaking-down-our-campaign-for-nebraska-secretary-of-state</link><guid isPermaLink="false">255c31b6-9a69-4841-9730-95a950baa9ae</guid><pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:36:37 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Rumbaugh For Nebraska</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Support Our Mission: Donate to the Secretary of State Campaign]]></title><description><![CDATA[In today's political landscape, the role of the Secretary of State is more crucial than ever. This position not only oversees elections but also manages vital state functions that affect every citizen. As we strive to uphold democracy and ensure fair representation, your support becomes essential. By donating to the Secretary of State campaign, you are investing in a future where every voice is heard and every vote counts. Eye-level view of a community gathering discussing civic engagement...]]></description><link>https://www.rumbaughfornebraska.com/post/support-our-mission-donate-to-the-secretary-of-state-campaign</link><guid isPermaLink="false">de6c29f6-8498-435b-ab09-2656f56f71bb</guid><pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2026 23:36:37 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Rumbaugh For Nebraska</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>