Biography
Danielle Conrad is a Democratic politician representing Nebraska's 46th Legislative District in the Nebraska State Legislature. Born on August 5, 1977, in Seward, Nebraska, she is the daughter of a deputy sheriff and a public school teacher. Conrad has a longstanding commitment to public service, having served in the Legislature from 2007 to 2015 and returning in 2023 after being re-elected in 2022.
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law
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Political Experience:
- Elected to the Nebraska State Legislature in 2006 and re-elected in 2010, serving until 2015.
- Served on the Appropriations Committee, Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee, Performance Audit Committee, and Redistricting Committee.
- Chaired the Legislature's Innovation and Entrepreneurial Task Force.
- Appointed Executive Director of the ACLU of Nebraska in 2014, leading the organization until 2022.
- Re-elected to the Nebraska State Legislature in 2022, beginning her current term in 2023.
Notable Achievements
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Legislative Initiatives:
- Established a loan forgiveness program for rural and public interest attorneys.
- Championed the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
- Supported the largest tax cut in Nebraska history.
- Led efforts to modernize the state's economic development strategies.
- Advocated for increased funding for education, particularly higher education institutions like the University of Nebraska.
- Played a pivotal role in increasing the state's minimum wage, benefiting over 60,000 working families.
- Introduced legislation to support mentor teacher programs, enhance teacher compensation, and make college textbooks tax-exempt.
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ACLU Leadership:
- Expanded the ACLU of Nebraska's staff and resources.
- Achieved legal victories in LGBTQ+ equality, open government, and reproductive rights.
- Supported initiatives to expand Medicaid eligibility and ban predatory payday lending.
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Community Engagement:
- Served on the Lincoln YWCA Board of Directors and the Community Development Taskforce.
- Active member of the Nebraska and Lincoln Bar Associations and the Volunteer Lawyers Project.
Conrad's career reflects a dedication to public service, legal advocacy, and community involvement, with a focus on policies that benefit working families, education, and civil rights.
