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General Affairs Committee hears Antonio Gomez’s nomination to Racing and Gaming Commission
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Summary
Antonio Gomez, a longtime Siouxland business owner and former local officeholder, testified before the General Affairs Committee about his background and interest in horseracing; senators questioned him about an application conflict-of-interest certification and his ties to gaming.
Senator Rick Holcroft, chair of the General Affairs Committee, opened a public hearing on the nomination of Antonio Gomez to the Racing and Gaming Commission and reviewed committee procedures, including testifier sign-in and the three-minute light system.
Antonio Gomez introduced himself to the committee and recounted his background as a longtime resident of the Siouxland area and owner of Gomez Pallet Company in Jackson, Nebraska, which he said he founded in 1981. “My name is Antonio Gomez. I born in Mexico, but I come to this great United States of America back in 1965,” Gomez said, describing more than five decades living in the region and prior public-service roles dating to an elected office in 2007 and service as a commissioner for 12 years.
Why it matters: The Racing and Gaming Commission oversees horseracing and gaming activities in the state; senators probed whether Gomez’s personal and family ties could create conflicts and how he would approach the commission’s regulatory responsibilities.
During questioning, Senator Barry McKay asked about the location of Gomez’s business and whether he had an interest in gaming. Gomez confirmed his business is near Highway 20 and said he enjoys horseracing but does not personally gamble on slot machines. “I don't like to gamble,” Gomez said, adding that he is passionate about horses and has promoted community rodeos in South Sioux City.
Senator John Kavanaugh, vice chair of the committee, asked Gomez about an application question that asks nominees to certify that neither they nor immediate family members have material personal or financial interests under the board’s jurisdiction. Gomez said he initially could not certify because he did not fully understand the question, but during the exchange he stated he has no family members who work at a casino or in businesses over which the commission would have jurisdiction. Kavanaugh pressed for clarification on whether any immediate family members work in gaming; Gomez responded that none do.
Senator Victor Roundtree asked how Gomez would balance a personal passion for racing with responsibilities on the gaming side of the commission. Gomez replied that his main interest is racing but said he would work to carry out the duties of the commission and monitor how gaming revenues are used locally, noting he has previously raised the topic with former Governor Pete Ricketts.
No members of the public offered in-person testimony in support or opposition, and the chair said the committee received no online or ADA comments. Gomez declined to give a closing statement. Chair Holcroft closed the hearing; no vote on the nomination was recorded at the conclusion of the session.
The committee’s record includes the nominee’s testimony, the committee’s questions about potential conflicts and local racing interests, and the absence of public testimony or online comments.
