Thibodeau picks Central Nebraska rancher Trent Loos as running mate in governor race

KEARNEY, NE — On the surface, Theresa Thibodeau and Trent Loos appear to embody two different sides of Nebraska. 

But six months ago, a conversation over coffee brought the unlikely duo together.

“That three-hour coffee has turned into a lieutenant governor pick,” Thibodeau said.

Thibodeau is an Omaha businesswoman and Loos is a Sherman County rancher and media personality. They met in October in Wahoo, shortly before Thibodeau entered the crowded race to become the Republican nominee for Nebraska governor. Despite their backgrounds, the pair found lots of common ground.

“There wasn’t one thing that came up that we disagreed upon," Thibodeau said. "What we knew is that we’re both Nebraskans and we do have the same goals.”

Now, Loos is officially Thibodeau’s running mate and they’re campaigning to close what they see as an urban and rural divide in state politics. Loos says that starts with returning power to the local level.

“It’s not been Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster counties that have been the problem, it’s a division within," Loos said. "We need to unite everybody and make sure that everybody understands that less government is better government, and government that is transparent and follows the will of the people is a government that’s going to be successful.”

Thibodeau is being outspent in the race by Charles Herbster, Jim Pillen and Brett Lindstrom ,but that doesn’t faze her or Loos.

“Theresa Thibodeau is the best listener I’ve seen in an elected position," Loos said. "Theresa Thibodeau wants to go out and earn the respect - not buy - earn the respect of the citizens of Nebraska.”

The Thibodeau campaign is on day five of a 10 day trip around the state.