Quick Facts
GeminiBiography
Theresa Thibodeau is an American politician from Nebraska affiliated with the Republican Party. She served in the Nebraska Legislature representing district 6 (western/central Omaha) from 2017 to 2018. Thibodeau was appointed to her seat by Nebraska Governor and Chicago Cubs part-owner Pete Ricketts in October 2017, following the resignation of incumbent senator Joni Craighead.
Early life and career
Thibodeau was born Theresa Sanderson on June 9, 1975, in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended Capistrano Valley High School and graduated in 1993. She attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1998.
Thibodeau, along with her husband, is a franchise owner of the Primrose School of La Vista, Nebraska, a day/care and preschool chain that operates throughout the United States. Thibodeau also serves on the Omaha Personnel Board as well as the boards of the La Vista Community Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands.
Political career
Omaha City Council
Thibodeau served as the campaign manager for her younger sister, Aimee Melton, an Omaha City Councilwoman representing District 7.
Nebraska State Legislature
Thibodeau was appointed to represent District 6, in Omaha, by Governor Pete Ricketts in October 2017. The seat became vacant following the resignation of the incumbent Republican, Joni Craighead. Thibodeau was defeated by Democrat Machaela Cavanaugh in the 2018 midterm elections held in November 2018.
"Bottle club loophole"
On her first day in office, Thibodeau introduced legislation to close the so-called "bottle club" loophole, which allowed business establishments where patrons can bring their own alcohol to operate without oversight from the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission or the Nebraska Liquor Control Act. Thibodeau's legislation was intended to require these businesses to be regulated in the same way as bars or taverns. The bill was signed into law by the governor and went into effect in July 2018.
Electoral history
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent) | 3,641 | 51.30 | |
| Democratic | Machaela Cavanaugh | 3,027 | 42.65 | |
| Independent | Ricky Fulton | 429 | 6.04 | |
| Total votes | 7,097 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Machaela Cavanaugh | 7,733 | 50.95 | |
| Republican | Theresa Thibodeau (incumbent) | 7,445 | 49.05 | |
| Total votes | 15,178 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
Personal life
Thibodeau is Catholic. She and her husband, Joseph Thibodeau, live in Nebraska with their three children, two daughters and a son.
