Omaha Public Defender, John Cavanaugh, to seek seat in the Legislature

Omaha attorney John Cavanaugh, Jr. is announcing that he is seeking a seat for the Nebraska Legislature representing Legislative District 9 in 2020. Cavanaugh and his wife Kakie McGill are raising their four children in the Aksarben/Elmwood Park Neighborhood. Cavanaugh is seeking the District 9 seat being vacated by Senator Sara Howard, who is term-limited.

Cavanaugh, who has spent the last six years working as an Assistant Public Defender in Douglas County, said he was inspired to seek a seat in the unicameral representing Legislative District 9 after working with low-income residents in Douglas County.

Cavanaugh said, "I have seen the cost to our community when we do not support education, fail to create job opportunities, eliminate affordable housing options, ignore sustainable transportation options, and deny drug and mental health treatment. These failures harm individuals and hurt our entire community. In the Legislature, I will work to ensure our laws and investments reflect our shared values of respect for the dignity of all the members of our community.”

Cavanaugh, a Democrat, has a long history of political involvement, having worked for Senator Ben Nelson, Mayor Mike Fahey, the Obama re-election campaign, and numerous other state and local campaigns in Nebraska.

“I want to thank Senator Howard for her dedicated service in the Legislature,” Cavanaugh said. “This District is the beating heart of Omaha, it includes universities, major employers and the most historic neighborhoods in the state. I would be honored to represent the Sunshine district in the Legislature.”

Omaha native Cavanaugh, who is a graduate of St. Joan of Arc elementary school and Creighton Prep, holds a Bachelor’s from The Catholic University of America and a Law degree and a Masters in Environmental Policy from Vermont Law School. In 2017-2018, he was the president of the Omaha Barrister’s Association, and he presently serves on the board of Mode Shift Omaha. He and his family are members of St. Margaret Mary Parish.

Cavanaugh is the son of former Congressman John Cavanaugh and Kate Cavanaugh of Omaha and the brother of Senator Machaela Cavanaugh who represents Legislative District 6 in the unicameral.