Omaha World Herald: Jess Goldoni, a 42-year-old entrepreneur and co-founder of the Nebraska-based AI firm Nebrask.AI, has officially entered the race for Nebraska’s Legislative District 18, representing northwest Omaha. With more than two decades of experience building companies in industries ranging from health care and law to finance and technology, Goldoni is bringing her business-driven mindset to politics — one focused on innovation, collaboration, and cutting through gridlock.
Goldoni is running to succeed State Senator Christy Armendariz, a Republican who won the seat in 2022 but has decided not to seek reelection. A self-described moderate Democrat, Goldoni has made it clear that her campaign isn’t about partisanship — it’s about results. “Nebraskans are tired of gridlock,” she said in her campaign announcement. “They’re not just impacted by high taxes or broken systems — they’re burdened by them. They feel left behind, unheard, and overextended.”
Her platform centers on reducing property taxes without harming public schools, cutting government waste, and identifying new ways to generate revenue for the state. Rather than relying on budget cuts alone, Goldoni advocates for innovative solutions — such as offering remote work tax credits to attract talent, expanding opportunities around data centers and agricultural technology, and fostering public-private partnerships to boost Nebraska’s economy.
At the heart of her campaign is a deep belief in Nebraska’s potential to lead — not just in agriculture, but in technology and innovation. Through her firm, Nebrask.AI, Goldoni has helped local businesses integrate artificial intelligence to “work smarter, not bigger.” She sees technology as a tool to strengthen Nebraska’s economy, modernize government, and create new jobs. Goldoni emphasizes that while the state must set reasonable guardrails around emerging technologies like AI, it must do so without stifling innovation or pushing opportunity elsewhere.
Her agenda also includes support for skilled trades, tech education, and dual-credit programs, ensuring Nebraska students can enter high-demand fields without leaving the state. She’s equally committed to helping veterans — expanding access to housing, health care, and benefits — and ensuring government systems are efficient, transparent, and responsive to citizens.
Goldoni’s decision to run follows months of conversations with educators, parents, small business owners, and community leaders, who shared concerns about taxes, workforce shortages, and political division. She says those conversations reinforced her conviction that Nebraska needs leaders who will listen, collaborate, and build solutions that work for everyone — not just special interests or party lines.
As a lifelong Nebraskan who has lived in District 18 for more than a decade, Goldoni blends local roots with a forward-thinking vision. Her campaign reflects a new kind of leadership — one that values innovation as much as integrity, and progress as much as practicality.
With the primary election set for May 2026 and the general election in November, Goldoni’s entry into the race marks a pivotal moment for Omaha’s northwestern communities — and for Nebraska’s broader conversation about growth, technology, and the future of work.
post comments
Together We Rise: A Campaign for Everyone
