Christian Mirch
Christian Mirch | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Public Service Commission from the 2nd district | |
| Assumed office January 27, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Crystal Rhoades |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 30, 1987 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Emma |
| Children | Two |
| Education | Creighton University (B.S.) (J.D.) |
Christian Heyer Mirch (born March 30, 1987) is a Republican politician currently serving as a member of the Nebraska Public Service Commission from the 2nd district. He was appointed in 2023 by Governor Jim Pillen to serve out the remaining four-year term following his predecessor's resignation.
Early career
Mirch grew up in Douglas, Wyoming, and graduated from Douglas High School in 2005.[1] He attended Creighton University while working as a police officer for the Omaha Police Department, and graduated in 2011. He later attended the Creighton University School of Law, graduating in 2019, after which he clerked for Justice Michael G. Heavican of the Nebraska Supreme Court.[2] In 2020, Mirch ran for the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District as a Director from Subdistrict 3 but lost to Larry Bradley, receiving 43.1% of the vote to Bradley's 56.9%.[3]
In 2022, Mirch ran for the Nebraska Legislature in District 6 against incumbent Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, who affiliated with the Democratic Party, and Elizabeth Hallgren.[4] Mirch placed second in the primary, with 39% of the vote, and advanced to the general election against Cavanaugh, who received 49%.[5] In the general election, Cavanaugh defeated Mirch by a wide margin, winning 56% of the vote to his 44%.[6][7]
Nebraska Public Service Commission
In 2023, after Public Service Commissioner Crystal Rhoades resigned from the commission upon her election as Douglas County Clerk of the District Court, Governor Jim Pillen appointed Mirch to serve out the final four years of Rhoades's term.[8][9] Mirch's appointment gave Republicans control of all five seats on the commission.[10]
Several months into Mirch's term, he and fellow Commissioner Kevin Stocker were censured by the commission for an undisclosed personnel issue, which was connected to grievances filed by staffers alleging that they had created a "hostile workplace."[11] Mirch and Stocker issued a joint press release in response to the censure, which they characterized as a "politically motivated attack" by the commission's chairman, Dan Watermeier, which was meant "to distract the media and the public from the commission's repeated failures and dereliction of duty."[11]
Mirch considered seeking a full term in 2026[12] but ultimately declined to do so.[13]
References
- ^ Heltzel, Kate, ed. (2023). Nebraska Blue Book, 2022-23. Office of the Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. p. 678. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ "Christian Mirch". Nebraska Public Service Commission. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ Robert B. Evnen. Official Report of the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers, General Election, November 3, 2020 (PDF).
- ^ Gentzler, Sara (October 28, 2021). "2 candidates plan to challenge Machaela Cavanaugh for Nebraska legislative seat". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Robert B. Evnen. Official Report of the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers, Primary Election, May 10, 2022 (PDF).
- ^ Robert B. Evnen. Official Report of the Nebraska Board of Canvassers, General Election, November 8, 2022 (PDF).
- ^ Stoddard, Martha (November 8, 2022). "Balance of power in Nebraska Legislature tips in favor of Republicans". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Bamer, Erin (January 27, 2023). "Pillen appoints Christian Mirch to Nebraska Public Service Commission". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ "Governor Pillen Appoints Public Service Commissioner for District 2". January 27, 2023.
- ^ "Mirch appointed to fill Omaha-area vacancy on Public Service Commission". Nebraska Examiner. 2023-01-30. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Dunker, Chris; Wegley, Andrew (October 3, 2023). "Nebraska Public Service Commission votes to censure two members". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Wendling, Zach (August 14, 2025). "State Sen. Wendy DeBoer running for Nebraska Public Service Commission". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Wendling, Zach (February 17, 2026). "No statewide surprises at Nebraska incumbent filing deadline for 2026 election". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved February 25, 2026.