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Meet Tony Vargas
Tony Vargas has served Nebraskans as an elected official for over a decade. Tony learned the values of community, hard work, and perseverance from his parents, who, coming from humble beginnings, sacrificed everything to provide their children with an opportunity for a brighter future.
About Tony
Tony devoted his career to public service and improving opportunities for all Nebraskans. He has served our community since 2013, first as a member of the Omaha Public Schools Board and then as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from 2017-2025. He is proud to currently serve as a board member for the Latino Economic Development Council, Rose Children’s Theatre, Partnership for Kids, and Opera Omaha.
As a senator, Tony developed a reputation for civility and working with anyone to get things done for Nebraska workers and small businesses. He successfully passed legislation to strengthen our public schools, improve access to health care, encourage technology and innovation, and improve consumer protections. Tony spent eight years on the Appropriations Committee, where he worked across party lines to balance the budget for the State of Nebraska. He also passed the state’s first long term fiscal planning legislation, which allowed the Legislature to better forecast future revenue and plan for future budgets.
Tony’s leadership has earned national recognition. He was named a Presidential Leadership Scholar, a prestigious national fellowship founded by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, an Aspen Institute “Civil Society Fellow”, and a National Co-Chair of the States Project, “America’s Goals.” The Council of State Governments awarded Tony as a Henry Toll Fellow and “20 Under 40” Leadership Award for his outstanding work as one of 20 up-and-coming elected officials across the country.
Tony began his career as a public-school teacher, receiving “Most Outstanding Teacher” and “Teacher of the Year” awards, and has worked with nonprofits, educational institutions, and school districts to improve systems and create budget efficiencies while producing better educational outcomes for children across the country.
The first generation of his family to graduate college, Tony earned his Bachelors of Arts degree at the University of Rochester and a Masters in Education at Pace University. Tony and his wife, Lauren, are raising their two young kids, Ava and Luca, in Omaha.