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PDF of Douglas County Voters’ Guide | Find voter information specific to your ballot at vote411.org.
All residents of Douglas County, Neb., are represented by this office.
Candidates for Douglas County Clerk of the District Court
John Friend (R): Web Site: http://www.votefriend.com. Current Public Office, dates held: Douglas County Clerk of the District Court Jan 07 to present. Past Public Office, dates held: None. Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Military experience: None. Volunteer experience: State Supreme Court Technology Committee. Supreme Court Strategic Planning Committee. Douglas Omaha Technology commission (DotComm)- Oversight Committee – Chair. Police Federal Credit Union of Omaha – Board or Directors – Chair
Jennifer Hernandez (D): Web Site: http://JenniferHernandezForClerk.com. Current Public Office, dates held: N/A. Past Public Office, dates held: N/A. Education: Business & Communications. Military experience: N/A. Volunteer experience: Domestic violence advocate, refugee integration, reading to kids at low-income elementary schools.
Douglas County Clerk of the District Court Candidates’ Responses
What will be your top two priorities while in office?
John Friend: 1. My main goal has been and continues to be to enhance the capabilities of the courts by use of new technology and to bring the courts closer to the people it serves. 2. Continue to maintain great working relationships with internal and external stakeholders that work with the courts and other government offices. 3. There continues to be a real need for assisting self-represented litigants in being successful in their journey through the court system.
Jennifer Hernandez: I want to ensure low-income families, and self-represented litigants have more tools to meet their needs. We need to rewrite self-help instructions to make them easier to understand and make every single one available in both English and Spanish. I also want to address discrimination issues and provide better service to those with unique issues, such as LGBTQIA folks, and make our courts a more inclusive place. We serve all of Douglas County, and we should do so without bias.
What are your qualifications for this office?
John Friend: I am a life long resident of Omaha. I hold a bachelor degree in Criminal Justice. I was an Omaha Police Officer for 25 years, retiring as a police captain. I have decades of successful experience at managing people and processes which is what managing the court clerks office entails. I have great relationships with judges, court staff and elected and appointed officials of all political parties. I stand ready to continue in your service as your court clerk. I ask for your support and your vote!
Jennifer Hernandez: I have worked as an office administrator and want to use my experience in data-driven process improvement to modernize the office and increase both the quantity and quality of services. I genuinely care about helping others and believe everyone who enters the court system should have an equal opportunity from the start. I have had personal experience with the courts for custody and stalking issues, and I have helped others with similar problems as a domestic violence advocate.
