NIOBRARA – Last week, Barry DeKay of Niobrara announced he will be seeking a second term to represent District 40 in the Nebraska Legislature.
DeKay was elected to the Legislature in 2022 after winning both the four-person primary, followedbydecisivegeneralelection victory. Since being elected, DeKay has served the Transportation & Telecommunications, Judiciary, Agriculture, General Affairs, Natural Resources, and State-Tribal Relations Committees.
In 2025, DeKay was elected Chairman of the Agriculture Committee for the 109th Legislature by his peers.
"I appreciate the confidence of the voters in the district to serve our interests in Lincoln,” DeKay said. “As your state senator, I have focused on legislation for the betterment of District 40.”
DeKay is a fourth-generation rancher from Niobrara who has served our communities and state throughout his career.
DeKay formerly served on the Nebraska Public Power District for 6 years, serving one year as Chairman of the Board.
DeKay served as a state director and served as President of the Nebraska Rural Electric Association, been a member of the Niobrara Valley Electric Corporation, NPPD Nuclear Committee, Niobrara Valley Hospital Foundation, and has been a high school and college basketball official for over 41 years.
“Protecting agriculture and our Nebraska way of life will always be a priority for me as your representative in Lincoln,” DeKay continued.
In 2024 Senator DeKay passed LB 1301, the Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act, banning foreign adversaries from owning ag land in Nebraska. In 2025, DeKay passed another bill protecting agricultural interests passing LB 246 to ban the sale of lab-grown meat. In 2025 DeKay secured funding for Weigand – Lewis and Clark SRA to expand, opening opportunities for tourism.
“As your State Senator I will continue working on issues important to our area and listen to the great people of the district,” DeKay continued. “Throughout my life and career, I have always answered the call to serve, and serving our communities in the 40th District in the State Legislature has provided a great opportunity to help our local communities. I will stand up for the people of District 40.”
Throughout the campaign, DeKay will continue to travel the district to listen to the ideas of constituents to take back to Lincoln.
DeKay and his wife Brenda raised both of their children in the district and have three grandchildren.
Legislative District 40 includes the following counties: Antelope, Cedar, Holt, Knox, and includes the northern portion of both Dixon and Pierce County.
