Theresa Thibodeau

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.

Theresa Thibodeau
Member of the Nebraska Legislature
from the 6th district
In office
October 19, 2017  January 8, 2019
Preceded byJoni Craighead
Succeeded byMachaela Cavanaugh
Personal details
BornJune 9, 1975
Kansas City, Missouri
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Joseph Thibodeau
Children3
Alma materUniversity of Nebraska at Omaha
OccupationBusiness owner
Websitenews.legislature.ne.gov/dist06/

Early life and career

Thibodeau was born Theresa Sanderson on June 9, 1975, in Kansas City, Missouri.[1] She attended Capistrano Valley High School and graduated in 1993.[1] She attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1998.[2][1]

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.[3] 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.[2]

Political career

Omaha City Council

Thibodeau served as the campaign manager for her younger sister, Aimee Melton, an Omaha City Councilwoman representing District 7.[3]

Nebraska State Legislature

Thibodeau was appointed to represent District 6, in Omaha, by Governor Pete Ricketts in October 2017.[2][3] The seat became vacant following the resignation of the incumbent Republican, Joni Craighead.[3] Thibodeau was defeated by Democrat Machaela Cavanaugh in the 2018 midterm elections held in November 2018.[4]

"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.[5] 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.[6]

Electoral history

Nebraska's 6th Legislative District Election, 2018
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.[2] She and her husband, Joseph Thibodeau, live in Nebraska with their three children, two daughters and a son.[7]


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References

  1. "Nebraska Legislature biography". Nebraska State Legislature. June 17, 2018. Archived from the original on June 17, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  2. Duggan, Joe (October 20, 2017). "Ricketts names Theresa Thibodeau to Joni Craighead's Omaha seat in Nebraska Legislature". World-Herald Bureau Omaha. Online. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  3. Schulte, Grant (October 19, 2017). "Omaha preschool owner appointed to Nebraska Legislature". The Associated Press. Online. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  4. Sanderford, Aaron (November 10, 2018). "With more ballots counted, Cavanaugh, Bogner win and DeBoer-Deaver still too close to call". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  5. "Bottle club bill advances after amendment". 1011 News Now. April 10, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  6. Bandur, Michelle (April 19, 2019). "Owner of nude dance club ready to sue Nebraska over new legislation". ABC News Omaha. Online. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  7. Stoddard, Martha (July 17, 2018). "Nebraska Legislature candidate Machaela Cavanaugh has a baby boy". World-Herald Bureau. Online. Retrieved October 22, 2019.


Political offices
Preceded by
Joni Craighead
Nebraska State Senator - District 6
2017 2018
Succeeded by
Machaela Cavanaugh
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