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Gov. Heineman Makes New Appointment to Legislature

tommy-garrettLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman has appointed a retired U.S. Air Force colonel to an open seat in the Nebraska Legislature, only days after his first pick withdrew amid questions about his nonpayment of campaign finance fines.

Heineman announced Wednesday his appointment of retired Col. Tommy L. Garrett, of Bellevue, to finish the term of former state Sen. Scott Price. Price resigned in November.

Garrett, 59, is the founder and president of a Bellevue company that specializes in defense contracting.

On Friday, Heineman had announced his appointment of Patrick M. Shannon, of Bellevue. Within hours, Shannon withdrew his name, saying his father in Oklahoma had suffered a heart attack.

The withdrawal also followed news that Shannon owes the state $16,000 for campaign-disclosure violations during an unsuccessful bid for the Legislature in 2004.

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