| Theresa Thibodeau | |
| State Legislature: | Nebraska |
| State: | Nebraska |
| District: | 6th |
| Term Start: | October 19, 2017 |
| Term End: | January 9, 2019 |
| Predecessor: | Joni Craighead |
| Successor: | Machaela Cavanaugh |
| Birth Name: | Theresa Sanderson |
| Birth Date: | 9 June 1975 |
| Birth Place: | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Children: | 3 |
| Alma Mater: | University of Nebraska, Omaha (BA) |
| Party: | Republican |
Theresa Thibodeau (born June 9, 1975) is an American politician who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from 2017 to 2019. In November 2021, Thibodeau entered the Republican primary for Governor of Nebraska.[1]
Thibodeau was born Theresa Sanderson on June 9, 1975, in Kansas City, Missouri.[2] She attended Capistrano Valley High School and graduated in 1993.[2] She attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 1996 to 1998, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology.[2] [3]
Thibodeau was appointed to represent District 6, in Omaha, by Governor Pete Ricketts in October 2017.[4] [5] The seat became vacant following the resignation of the incumbent Republican, Joni Craighead.[5] Thibodeau was encouraged by Pete Rickets to submit her name for the position, which she did on October 13, two weeks after the deadline to submit on September 29.[6] Thibodeau was defeated by Democrat Machaela Cavanaugh in the 2018 midterm elections held in November 2018.[7] [8]
Thibodeau unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor in the 2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election. She came in fourth place with 6.05% of the vote, behind Jim Pillen (33.75%), Charles Herbster (30.13%), and Brett Lindstrom (25.68%).[9] [10]
Thibodeau is a Catholic.[4] She and her husband, Joseph Thibodeau, live in Nebraska with their three children, two daughters and a son.[11]