Biography
Jana Hughes, born on August 7, 1971, in Friend, Nebraska, grew up on a dairy farm near Goehner. She graduated from Seward High School in 1989 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1993. After working as a consulting engineer for Kurt Salmon Associates in Atlanta, Georgia, she returned to Nebraska in 1996 and married John Hughes. The couple resides in Seward with their three children: Lena, Anna, and Hank. The family is associated with Hughes Brothers Manufacturing, a company producing American-made hardware since 1921.
In 2018, Hughes was elected to the Seward School Board, focusing on policies to ensure a vibrant future for the next generation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she obtained certification as a substitute teacher for Seward Public Schools and continues to serve in that capacity. Hughes is active in various community organizations, including the Seward Jr. Women’s Club, the Legacy Fund of Seward County, the Seward Changing the Game Wellness Center initiative, Holy Savior Lutheran Church, Seward County 4-H, and the Seward Community Foundation.
In 2022, Hughes was elected to the Nebraska State Senate, representing District 24, which encompasses Seward, York, and Polk Counties, along with the western portion of Butler County.
Education
-
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1993
Political Experience
-
Nebraska State Senator, District 24, 2023–present
- Serves on the Agriculture Committee, General Affairs Committee, and Natural Resources Committee.
-
Seward School Board Member, 2018–2022
Notable Achievements
- Signed the U.S. Term Limits Pledge, advocating for term limits on Congress.
- Introduced and prioritized legislation addressing property tax reform and school funding, including LB303, which aims to increase state funding to public schools while reducing property tax rates.
- Advocated for the regulation and taxation of alternative nicotine products to reduce youth usage through bills such as LB9 and LB125.
- Proposed LB309 to establish a comprehensive system for the collection and recycling of consumer batteries, addressing public safety concerns related to battery disposal.
Hughes identifies as a conservative Republican, focusing on issues such as property tax reform, economic development, education, and support for agriculture.
