Senator Ernie Chambers Discusses his Write-In Campaign for Douglas County Commissioner
By: Anuska Dhar
Sen. Ernie Chambers on Facebook live with Anthony Karefa Rogers-Wright. (Photo: The People for Ernie Chambers on the Douglas County Board)
Senator Ernie Chambers discussed his write-in campaign for Douglas County Commissioner District 3 with policy expert and racial/climate justice advocate, Anthony Karefa Rogers-Wright. The conversation was live-streamed on Facebook on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Key issues Sen. Chambers says he will cover if elected to the position include: the school to prison pipeline, gentrification, and climate change.
Holding the record as the longest serving lawmaker in Nebraska, Sen. Chambers will be term limited for the second time, representing North Omaha for 46 years. Now campaigning for a Douglas County Board spot, he hopes to continue serving those who are marginalized and seen as on the fringes of society.
When asked about matters of race relations and how to bring white people into the work of antiracism, Sen. Chambers, a longtime civil rights activist himself, explained that he lives by the golden rule, “You’ve got a child. I have a child. Treat my child the way you want yours treated. Treat me the way you want me to treat you.”
In regards to police brutality and why it continues to plague the community, he said that when a Black person tries to defend themselves, “then the term is not self-defense, it’s violence. And they teach us the worst thing a Black person can be is violent.” As a Black man himself, he notes the multitude of times he himself has been identified and othered by the color of his skin.
“You got to write the law so that the ORDINARY citizen understands it.”
- Senator Ernie Chambers
During his time in the state legislature, Sen. Chambers played an influential role as a lawmaker. He discussed writing the law in a way people can generally understand, which he hopes to continue as county commissioner. Chambers also spoke on being previously re-elected as a write-in candidate once before in 1988, while making a bid for US Senate, at the same time.
Before opening up to questions, Rogers-Wright ended the conversation with Chambers by asking about his thoughts on environmental issues. For example, the coal fired power plant in North Omaha that is causing pollution in the area, and how he would clean up the community without the cost of losing jobs.
Chambers responded by saying he believes wind and geothermal energy are the way forward. He compared the damaging effects of climate change on the community to toxins on the body, saying, “If you put harmful substances in your body, your body will try to fight it, but after a point, it’s going to build up and you’ll die.”
To vote for Sen. Ernie Chambers for Douglas County Commissioner District 3 in the 2020 general election, you can write in his name and fill in the corresponding bubble on the ballot. To watch the full livestream event, visit The People for Ernie Chambers on the Douglas County Board on Facebook.