Evnen positive for COVID-19

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, one day before he was scheduled to announce his re-election bid, his office confirmed Tuesday.

A spokeswoman said Evnen has been fully vaccinated against the virus, and his symptoms are not severe. She said Evnen is working from his home office.

Evnen, a Republican, was supposed to hold an in-person campaign event on Monday but abruptly canceled it, citing unforeseen circumstances. His campaign made the announcement in an email.

Evnen was also supposed to appear at a meeting of the Hitchcock County Republican Party Thursday in Culbertson.

Instead, Tyler Cappel, who is running for LD-44 will appear. He is running for the seat Sen. Dan Hughes is vacating because of term limits.

He will join Elizabeth Tegtmeier, candidate for District 7 State Board of Education, against incumbent Robin Stevent.

Evnen was first elected in 2018. He previously served on the Nebraska State Board of Education and was an attorney in Lincoln. He also was active in the 2016 ballot campaign to preserve Nebraska’s death penalty after the Legislature abolished it.

No Democratic candidate has announced plans to challenge Evnen.

Thursday’s event is set for the Culbertson Ambulance Barn, four blocks south of Highway 6-34 in Culbertson, at 7 p.m. Thursday.

A light supper will be served from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

The organization meets at 7 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at the Culbertson ambulance barn unless otherwise posted, Contact Chairman Bruce Desautels (308) 276-2682 for more information.