Ian Swanson | Courtesy
Ian Swanson ’14, who is running to represent the 31st District of Nebraska in the state legislature, speaks at a reception in Omaha, Nebraska.
“I always knew I wanted to serve my state and my country; I just didn’t exactly know when and how,” alumnus Ian Swanson ’14 told the Collegian.
Swanson is running to represent Nebraska’s 31st District of Southwest Omaha. Because Nebraska is unicameral, there is no House and no Senate, only a Legislature of 49 nonpartisan senators. If elected in November, Swanson will become a senator in the Unicameral.
After graduating with a major in political economy, Swanson worked as executive director of the Douglas County Republican Party, the most populous county in Nebraska. After seeing the problems in his home state throughout the 2014 cycle, Swanson decided to run for the position in May 2015 and announced his candidacy in July.
“I have two choices,” he said. “I can either complain, or I can do something about it.”
He faces incumbent democrat Rick Kolowski, but Swanson remains optimistic.
“It’s a very challenging thing to run against an incumbent in any office but especially in Nebraska,” Swanson said. “Incumbents usually win. It can be a challenge if you want to make it a challenge. But I love doing it because I know people are crying out for something different, and I want to provide an alternative to the status quo in politics.”
Swanson said he applies his Hillsdale degree daily in his campaign, which focuses on three main points: tax reform, education reform, and general government accountability. He said he is grateful that his Hillsdale education taught him to love learning and gave him the desire to serve.
“It’s been invaluable to me, especially in the relationships I’ve built with my professors because I’ve relied a lot on their wisdom and counsel even after I’ve graduated,” he said.
Since his campaign kickoff, Swanson said he has been busy door-knocking, phone calling, and connecting with constituents. Two supporters from his alma mater have endorsed him: President Larry Arnn and Hillsdale College Board of Trustees member and former Nebraska Gov. Kay Orr.
Both Arnn and Orr encouraged Swanson to run for the position and attended a reception in Omaha last October to support him as a candidate. Swanson said he is thankful for their generosity.
“I am so grateful to Dr. Arnn and Gov. Kay Orr for their support,” he said. “They didn’t have to get involved, but they did out of the kindness of their hearts, saying they believed in me.”
Arnn said via email that Swanson possesses intelligence, integrity, and commitment to duty.
“He loves his country, freedom, and the good it represents in principle,” Arnn said. “He will be an excellent servant of his district.”
Swanson said two professors at Hillsdale — Professors of History Tom Conner and Burt Folsom — were particularly influential to him because of their excellence as teachers and storytellers.
Folsom, a fellow Nebraskan who attended the October event in Omaha, said Swanson took three of his history classes while at Hillsdale.
“I heard his first speech of the campaign,” Folsom said. “When he was a senior, he was talking about the seat, and I think it really became a possibility. He told me that he felt this was where he would be able to make a difference.”
Swanson was also a research assistant for two books that Folsom was writing, one on failed government subsidies, the other on prison reform. Folsom said Swanson has a good work ethic and was a dedicated student of politics and history.
“He had a good mind for retentiveness,” Folsom said. “He loved the presidency. Whenever that would come up in class, he would always like that because he likes political history in particular.”
Conner said he met Swanson first when Swanson attended the Hillsdale high school summer Churchill World War II trip before starting college at Hillsdale.
“Ian stands out in a crowd,” Conner said. “From the first he was mature for his age, very serious, yet very personable.”
Conner taught Swanson American Heritage as well as three upper-level history classes. He said Swanson has an active mind and is wholesome.
“It was clear from the onset that he was interested in politics,” Conner said. “His sincerity is aimed at public service and not for ambition’s sake.”
The Nebraska primary is set for May 10 with the general election on Nov. 18. Swanson said he is confident in the success of the campaign.
“I wouldn’t be doing this unless I plan to win,” he said. “I’m doing this because I know I can make a difference; I know I have the capability. I would not be in the position I am in today if it weren’t for Hillsdale College, the things I learned, and the people I met.”
