Theresa Thibodeau
Member of the Nebraska Legislature
from the 6th district
In office
October 19, 2017 – January 9, 2019
Preceded byJoni Craighead
Succeeded byMachaela Cavanaugh
Personal details
Born
Theresa Sanderson

(1975-06-09) June 9, 1975 (age 48)
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Joseph Thibodeau
​
(m. 2001)​
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Nebraska, Omaha (BA)

Theresa Thibodeau (born June 9, 1975) is an American politician who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature 2017 to 2018. In November 2021, Thibodeau entered the Republican primary for Governor of Nebraska.[1]

Early life and career

Thibodeau was born Theresa Sanderson on June 9, 1975, in Kansas City, Missouri.[2] She attended Capistrano Valley High School and graduated in 1993.[2] She attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 1996 to 1998, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology.[3][2][4]

Political career

Nebraska State Legislature

Thibodeau was appointed to represent District 6, in Omaha, by Governor Pete Ricketts in October 2017.[3][5] The seat became vacant following the resignation of the incumbent Republican, Joni Craighead.[5] Thibodeau was encouraged by Pete Rickets to submit her name for the position, which she did on October 13, two weeks after the deadline to submit on September 29.[6] Thibodeau was defeated by Democrat Machaela Cavanaugh in the 2018 midterm elections held in November 2018.[7][8]

Thibodeau unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in the 2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election. She came in fourth place with 6.05% of the vote, behind Jim Pillen (33.75%), Charles Herbster (30.13%), and Brett Lindstrom (25.68%).[9][10]

Electoral history

Nebraska's 6th Legislative District Election, 2018
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent) 3,641 51.30
Democratic Machaela Cavanaugh 3,027 42.65
Independent Ricky Fulton 429 6.04
Total votes 7,097 100.0
General election
Democratic Machaela Cavanaugh 7,733 50.95
Republican Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent) 7,445 49.05
Total votes 15,178 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

Personal life

Thibodeau is Catholic.[3] She and her husband, Joseph Thibodeau, live in Nebraska with their three children, two daughters and a son.[11]

References

  1. ^ Bureau, Paul Hammel World-Herald. "Former State Sen. Thibodeau has joined GOP race for governor". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Nebraska Legislature biography". Nebraska State Legislature. June 17, 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Duggan, Joe (October 20, 2017). "Ricketts names Theresa Thibodeau to Joni Craighead's Omaha seat in Nebraska Legislature". World-Herald Bureau Omaha. Online. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  4. ^ "Theresa Thibodeau".
  5. ^ a b Schulte, Grant (October 19, 2017). "Omaha preschool owner appointed to Nebraska Legislature". The Associated Press. Online. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  6. ^ Bureau, Joe Duggan / World-Herald. "Ricketts names Theresa Thibodeau to Joni Craighead's Omaha seat in Nebraska Legislature". Omaha.com. Retrieved March 30, 2021.
  7. ^ Sanderford, Aaron (November 10, 2018). "With more ballots counted, Cavanaugh, Bogner win and DeBoer-Deaver still too close to call". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  8. ^ "Our Campaigns - NE Legislature 06 Race - Nov 06, 2018".
  9. ^ Panetta, Brent D. Griffiths, Grace. "Jim Pillen defeats crowded field and Trump ally to win GOP Nebraska governor primary". Business Insider. Retrieved May 11, 2022.((cite web)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Epstein, Reid J. (April 30, 2022). "Nebraska Candidate for Governor Accused of Second Groping Incident at 2019 Dinner". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  11. ^ Stoddard, Martha (July 17, 2018). "Nebraska Legislature candidate Machaela Cavanaugh has a baby boy". World-Herald Bureau. Online. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
Nebraska Legislature Preceded byJoni Craighead Member of the Nebraska Legislaturefrom the 6th district 2017–2019 Succeeded byMachaela Cavanaugh
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