Nebraska Dems feeling their oats

It's recruiting season for Nebraska Democrats.

All three congressmen, Gov. Dave Heineman and the rest of the state's constitutional officers are among a slew of Republicans up for re-election in 2010.

Democrats say priority will be given to finding candidates to run against Heineman and U.S. Rep. Lee Terry of Omaha. But they say no GOP officeholders should expect a pass, including State Treasurer Shane Osborn and State Auditor Mike Foley.

Two possible Democratic candidates include State Sen. Tom White, who is leaning toward a bid for Terry's seat, and State Sen. Steve Lathrop, who has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Heineman.

A nonincumbent has until next March 1 to get his or her name on the May primary ballot. However, few candidates can afford to wait until next year to organize a statewide campaign.

In today's big-money political environment, the candidate who gets out early has more time to raise money for the general election and organize at the county level.

“There is no artificial timeline, (but) the earlier the better,” said Vic Covalt, chairman of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

Democrats have had trouble fielding competitive candidates for statewide office in the past few election cycles. Four years ago, they failed to find anyone to run for state treasurer or attorney general, ceding the offices to Republicans.

The candidates they did find to run fared poorly. Heineman trounced Democrat David Hahn by nearly 50 percentage points in 2006.

Democrats say 2010 will be different — that the political winds have shifted in their direction.

The party has scored big wins in the past six months, underscoring the changing political environment in Nebraska, said Vince Powers, national committeeman for the state Democratic Party.

President Barack Obama picked up an electoral vote in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District; Democrats won majorities on the Omaha and Lincoln City Councils; and the party retained the mayoral seat in Omaha.

That's all on top of Obama winning the White House.

“There is a different attitude within the Democratic Party. There is a different psychology,” Powers said.

Republicans counter that any lift the party may have garnered from Obama or the spring elections in Omaha and Lincoln will be short-lived. By next fall, Obama's coattails will have frayed, predicted Mark Fahleson, chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party.

“I hope that they will be willing to sign an agreement today that they will be willing to run on the issue of Obama in 2010,” Fahleson said.

The first Democratic candidate to jump into a 2010 race may come from Omaha.

White appears to be leaning toward a run for Congress against Terry. The Omaha Democrat gave every sign Saturday at the Nebraska Democratic Party's Morrison-Exon Dinner in La Vista that he will go after Terry and attempt to portray him as a “rubber stamp” for Republicans.

White said he expects to make an announcement in mid-July. “I'm talking it through with my family and close friends,” he said.

Terry has faced two tough re-election battles in the past four years against Democrat Jim Esch. He beat Esch by 10 percentage points in 2006 and won 52 percent of the vote in a rematch last fall.

Democrats think Terry is vulnerable, in part, because of changing demographics in the Omaha area. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by about 7,000 votes in the 2nd Congressional District, and 20 percent of voters in the district identify themselves as independents.

Despite the numbers, Fahleson believes Terry is in good shape. He said that if the Democrats couldn't defeat Terry last fall, when Obama was at the top of the party's ticket, they stand even less of a chance in 2010.

“Lee Terry won in a very difficult 2008 cycle. I'm confident he'll win in 2010,” Fahleson said.

So far, no one has emerged as a likely challenger to Heineman.

“Word has it that Democrats are looking under every rock they can to find an opponent, but they can't find anyone. I wouldn't be surprised if he's unopposed,” Fahleson said.

Covalt said that won't happen. They will find a candidate.

“We have a great chance of winning the governorship,” he said.

One possible Democratic contender is Lathrop, a state senator from Omaha. He said he has spoken with some party officials about the race, but he makes it clear that his family would be a prime factor.

“I have some people talking to me, and I'm giving it some consideration,” Lathrop said.

Two other people whose names have been mentioned as possible candidates tried to quash speculation last week.

John Cavanaugh, who served as a U.S. congressman from Omaha, said he is not interested. “If nominated, I'll move to Kansas,” he said, laughing.

University of Nebraska Regent Chuck Hassebrook all but slammed the door on a campaign. “I'm not actively considering it,” he said.

Despite the lack of an opponent, Heineman appeared to be not taking anything for granted. He is busy building a war chest. He had nearly $300,000 in campaign cash at the end of last year, the last reporting period.

Contact the writer:

444-1309, robynn.tysver@owh.com