Mary Ridder
Mary Ridder | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Public Service Commission from the 5th district | |
| In office January 5, 2017 – January 5, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Jerry Vap |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Stocker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 7, 1957 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | John Ridder |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Creighton University (B.A.) |
| Occupation | Rancher |
Mary Ridder (née Guynan) is a Republican politician from the state of Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Public Service Commission from 2017 to 2023.
Early career
Ridder was born in Schuyler, Nebraska, in 1957, and graduated from Schuyler Central High School in 1975. She later attended Creighton University, graduating with her bachelor's degree in 1979. Ridder settled in Callaway, where she worked as a rancher.[1] In 2006, she ran for the Callaway School Board,[2] and served on the Board until 2014.[1]
Nebraska Public Service Commission
Ridder challenged incumbent Public Service Commissioner Jerry Vap in the Republican primary in 2016.[3] She argued that she would bring a "valuable rural and landowner perspective" to the commission, citing her experience as a rancher.[4] Ridder campaigned on improving access to internet and phone service in the most rural parts of the state.[5] The race between Ridder and Vap was close, and after all precincts were counted on election night, Ridder had a 57-vote lead,[6] which shrank to 36 votes when the votes were canvassed and certified. In response, the Board of State Canvassers ordered a recount.[7] Following the recount, Ridder's victory over Vap was confirmed to be 46 votes.[8] Ridder faced no competition in the general election and was elected unopposed.[9]
In 2017, when the Public Service Commission voted to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline with an alternative route by a 3–2 vote, Ridder and Democrat Crystal Rhoades voted against it.[10][11][12] In opposing the pipeline's construction, Ridder criticized the routes proposed by TransCanada would have harmful effects on fragile soul in the region,[13] and both Rhoades and Ridder argued that the proposed route could affect the Ogallala Aquifer.[14]
Ridder was elected Chair of the Public Service Commission in 2018,[15] and served as Chair through 2020.[16]
Ridder ran for re-election in 2022.[16] She was challenged in the Republican primary by businessman Kevin Stocker[17] and Dakota Delka. Stocker self-funded his campaign and significantly outspent Ridder, who did not raise or spend enough to file a campaign finance report under state law.[18] Ultimately, Stocker narrowly defeated Ridder, winning 41 percent of the vote to her 39 percent.[19]
References
- ^ a b Heltzel, Kate, ed. (2021). Nebraska Blue Book 2020-21 (PDF). Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ^ Williams, Kris (November 2, 2006). "Six vie for Callaway ed board spots". Kearney Hub. p. 3. Retrieved February 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ridder announces her run for District 5 seat". Kearney Hub. April 9, 2016. p. 3. Retrieved February 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pritchard, Erika (April 23, 2016). "Ridder points to rural skills for candidacy". Kearney Hub. p. 3. Retrieved February 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hammel, Paul (April 17, 2016). "Candidates for Public Service Commission seek better Internet service in rural areas". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Hammel, Paul (May 13, 2016). "Public Service Commission race appears headed for recount as 57 votes separate 2 candidates". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Hammel, Paul (June 6, 2016). "Recount ordered in Public Service Commission race after 36 votes separate candidates". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Duggan, Joe (June 14, 2016). "Recount confirms that western Nebraska incumbent lost his seat". Omaha World-Herald. p. 10. Retrieved February 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gale, John A. (2010). Revised Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers, General Election, November 8, 2016 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ^ Northey, Hannah (November 20, 2017). "Split Neb. regulatory panel approves pipeline route". Politico. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Milman, Oliver (November 20, 2017). "Nebraska regulators approve Keystone XL pipeline route". The Guardian. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Lidgett, Adam (December 19, 2017). "Neb. Regulators Won't Budge On Keystone XL Route Ruling". Law360. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Hammel, Paul (November 21, 2017). "Controversial Keystone XL pipeline route across Nebraska is approved, but hurdles likely remain". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ Mandel, Jenny (November 21, 2017). "Emotions run high as both sides claim victory in pipeline saga". E&E News. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ "Ridder to chair state PSC". Lincoln Journal Star. January 10, 2018. p. B5. Retrieved February 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Hammel, Paul (September 20, 2021). "Mary Ridder announces reelection bid for Nebraska Public Service Commission". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- ^ "Stocker Declares for Dist. 5 Public Service Commission Seat". KMOR. Scottsbluff, Nebraska. February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2026.
- ^ Von Kampen, Todd (July 6, 2022). "Hardin spent over $55,500 in primary race". Star-Herald. Scottsbluff, Nebraska. p. A1, A3. Retrieved February 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gale, John A. (2022). Official Report of the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers, Primary Election, May 10, 2022 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved February 11, 2026.