First candidate for Legislature sets the bar high

It's too early for an endorsement, but it is encouraging to see someone like Dennis Berry throw his hat into the ring to run for Legislature.

We have come out in opposition to term limits several times in the past, saying we feel that arbitrarily forcing capable, experienced lawmakers to leave office robs the state of valuable institutional memory.

With Sen. Mark Christensen out after eight years in Lincoln, however, someone must step into the gap, and the McCook mayor will be a difficult candidate to beat.

Berry is running on a platform of "lower taxes, quality schools and a sound water policy," pointing out he will be able to campaign, and serve, full time following his retirement as junior high principal in May 2014.

His announcement pointed out he was raised on a farm, graduated from a small high school, understands population loss and, key to someone representing District 44, is a member of Nebraska Right to Life and the NRA.

Water, and education, specifically funding both of them, are two key issues in Nebraska, and it's encouraging that Berry chose to emphasize them in his campaign announcement.

As we said in our opening, it's too early for an endorsement, and this editorial should not be taken as one. We do hope many other qualified candidates will seriously consider putting themselves forward as candidates for Legislature and all other elected offices.

But having someone like Dennis Berry in the race certainly sets the bar high.