Local 251 Road Employees Step Forward to Seek Change in Otoe County Leadership
AFSCME Local 251 is proud to announce and formally endorse two longtime Otoe County road employees, Andrew Wright and Robert Valdez, as they seek election to serve as Otoe County Commissioners in the upcoming election.
After years of dedicated public service maintaining county infrastructure and responding to the everyday needs of residents, both men have made the decision to continue their commitment to the community by pursuing leadership roles in county government. Their candidacies reflect a growing desire among working-class public employees to bring practical experience, accountability, and common-sense leadership to local decision-making.
Andrew Wright has served Otoe County for approximately 18 years full-time, with more than 20 years of total service including his earlier part-time employment. Throughout his career, he has earned the trust of his coworkers by serving as a union steward and standing up for fairness, safe working conditions, and responsible management practices. His experience working directly with county operations has given him firsthand knowledge of the importance of infrastructure investment, workforce stability, and protecting taxpayer resources.
A devoted husband of 30 years and father of three, Andrew’s commitment to service extends into his family and faith community. His daughter serves the public as a nurse at a cancer hospital in Lincoln, while his two sons have built careers in the skilled trades as certified welders. His deep roots in the Nebraska City area and involvement in his Methodist church continue to shape his belief that leadership must be grounded in integrity, transparency, and respect for the people being served.
Robert Valdez also brings decades of working-class experience and a lifelong connection to Otoe County. He spent 20 years working for Union Pacific Railroad in a demanding industry where safety, efficiency, and accountability are essential. A dedicated family man, Robert is married and part of a large blended family that includes six children of his own, five stepchildren, and nine grandchildren. Having grown up in Otoe County, his decision to run for commissioner is driven by a personal desire to help ensure that county government operates responsibly and uses taxpayer dollars wisely.
Both Wright and Valdez represent a new generation of community leadership rooted in real-world experience rather than political ambition. Their years working on the county road crew have given them a unique understanding of the challenges facing rural infrastructure, public services, and working families. They have seen firsthand how policy decisions affect employees and residents alike, and they are stepping forward because they believe meaningful change requires leaders who understand these realities.
AFSCME Local 251 is proud not only to endorse Andrew Wright and Robert Valdez, but also to have actively advocated on their behalf with leadership at the Nebraska AFL-CIO. We are grateful that our fellow union brothers and sisters across the labor movement recognized the importance of supporting working-class candidates and responded positively to our request for solidarity. Both candidates were included in the Nebraska AFL-CIO’s 2026 primary election endorsements, reflecting broad labor support for their commitment to public service and responsible leadership.
Their candidacies send a powerful message: public employees who have spent their careers serving their communities are ready to step forward and help shape the future of local government. AFSCME Local 251 stands firmly behind Andrew Wright and Robert Valdez as they continue their journey from maintaining the roads of Otoe County to seeking seats at the commissioners’ table.
We are proud to support these working-class leaders and look forward to seeing their continued dedication to service benefit the citizens of Otoe County.