Sorrentino wins race to the Capitol

Above: Sen. Tony Sorrentino competes for Team Nebraska in the 2015 Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis.

Omaha Sen. Tony Sorrentino keeps his Brooks running shoes in a bright yellow bag in his Capitol office and his running clothes in the trunk of his car.

“Just in case,” he smiles.

Running is more than a hobby for the freshman senator — it’s a philosophy and a way of life. Sorrentino has been running competitively for more than 50 years and is likely the most youthful 70 year old you’ll ever meet.

“It’s certainly my passion,” he said. “It took away my real knees and gave me some fake ones a couple of years ago, but I still run.”

Other parts of his life that contribute to the spring in his step include teaching adjunct at Creighton Law School and serving as the assistant coach for the Creighton women’s cross country team. Over the years, he’s coached runners at almost every level from junior high to college.

“I enjoy being around the students,” Sorrentino said. “They energize you and keep you young.”

Sorrentino, a CPA and attorney, has competed in 163 marathons in locations all over the world, including finishing the prestigious Boston Marathon six times. At one time he was sponsored — with athletic companies paying for his shoes, clothing and travel — but such deals require a minimum number of races per year. With four children at home, his wife Kate’s own busy career and overseeing his company, there simply wasn’t time.

Sorrentino said one of his most memorable running experiences was in the birthplace of the marathon. After Greece was chosen as the site for the 2004 Summer Olympics in 1989, he was one of the runners on the newly mapped out course meant to retrace the race’s historic origin.

Unfortunately, the course wasn’t completely marked out by the time the runners arrived.

“The pack I was in got lost and ended up running 28.5 miles,” he laughed. “We were literally stopping people in Athens and asking them where the Panathenaic Stadium finish line was.”

But Sorrentino isn’t daunted by races that don’t go exactly as planned.

He ran for a seat in the Legislature 18 years ago and, in his words, “finished Miss Congeniality.” In the years since, he concentrated on work, teaching, coaching and other interests, but never lost sight of the desire to serve.

After selling his business a few years ago and moving to District 39, which had an open seat last year due to term limits, Sorrentino felt it was time to try again.

“I’ve always had an interest in government,” he said. “I was the beneficiary of good governance — good leadership — all my life growing up in Nebraska. Now I have the time to give back.”

Having a runner’s energy helped when knocking nearly 10,000 doors while on the campaign trail. His advice to others seeking a spot in the legislative hustle and bustle?

“Bring your energy and bring your walking shoes,” Sorrentino said. “It’s going to take both to put together a winning race.”