NORFOLK, Neb. -- Election year is upon the state of Nebraska as many officials in and outside of the state will be elected to hold political office. News Channel Nebraska wanted to give all candidates an opportunity to share why they believe they are the best fit for their respective positions. 

Melissa Temple is an independent candidate running for District 19 in the Nebraska State Legislature. A faith-filled family raised by veteran parents, Temple realized how important it was to give back to the community. 

“My parents were in service work themselves so I think I saw first-hand that it is important to contribute and give back to your community,” Temple said. 

Temple attended Northeast Community College as well as Nebraska Christian College. After transferring to a Wesleyan school out of state to finish her degree, Temple returned for a teaching job at the Educational Service Unit (ESU) #8. 

“While I was here I really got interested in justice work,” Temple said. “So I helped cofound an anti-human-trafficking non profit and I was involved with that for several years and that kind of propelled me into wanting to learn more.”

After grad school, Temple said she had a call to seminary. Temple then traveled all over the world to take classes and internships to learn to find common ground with people all over the world. 

Temple is now involved with the community in a variety of ways. She serves on the Parks and Recreation Board, works with the Norfolk Connections Project, as well as being a board member on the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District (LENRD). 

“I try to throw myself into as much as I can and really be a contributing member of this community,” Temple said. 

Temple is the only independent candidate running for District 19. Not answering to a political party, Temple wishes to answer from the demands of the people. 

“I hope that I can be a bridge builder,” Temple said. “As a millennial and someone that works with the younger children and older adults, I also do hospice care and hospice chaplain work, so I kind of see the gambit of needs in our community.”