Sakalosky to challenge Terry

Matt Sakalosky understands he’s ruffled a few feathers with his campaign to unseat fellow Republican Lee Terry.

He also understands that he faces long odds in the Republican primary next May.

Still, Sakalosky, 38, is disappointed, though not surprised, that the Nebraska Republican Party is circling the wagons around Terry.

The party has informed Sakalosky that Terry — as an incumbent — will likely get the party’s endorsement this fall at a gathering of the State Central Committee.

Sakalosky has been busy this summer trying to build a political base in the Omaha-centered 2nd Congressional District.

He has walked in a half-dozen parades and spoken at numerous service and business clubs. He has raised a little money, hitting the $10,000 mark.

He says some Republicans have tried to talk him out of running, but he’s declined to identify them.

“They asked me to do anything in the party but this,” said Sakalosky, who is making his first bid for public office against a six-term congressman.

Mark Fahleson, chairman of the state GOP, said he did not urge Sakalosky to get out of the race. But he said it would make sense.

“My guess is that more than one person told him that. I did not. ... Common sense would tell him to find another race. Lee Terry is our candidate,” he said.

Fahleson noted that there is nothing unusual in the state party endorsing an incumbent. It’s part of the party’s bylaws. Earlier this summer, the party’s executive council recommended that the party endorse all of its incumbents for office.

That proposal will be voted on at the Oct. 10 meeting of the state central committee in Omaha.

Sakalosky is new to party politics. A south Omaha boy who played football for Gross High School, Sakalosky has long been interested in public affairs. He watches television news and reads political biographies.

But he’s never run for office or spent much time working with the party.

The father of four children, Sakalosky has been busy building a business. He owns a medical consulting company called Sakalosky Systems Inc. The company helps hospitals across the country computerize their medical records, as well as find inefficiencies in their operations.

After watching the debate over the bank bailout bills and the economic stimulus package, he decided to jump into the fray.

Sakalosky is especially critical of Terry’s vote last fall for a stimulus package for banks known as TARP, or the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Terry initially opposed the $700 billion bailout but voted for it after talking with several Omaha business leaders, including Warren Buffett, and others who said it was needed to avert an economic disaster.

Sakalosky’s primary bid could pose problems for Terry, who has been targeted by Democrats nationally. State Sen. Tom White of Omaha, a Democrat, is expected to mount a strong challenge in the 2nd District.

A primary challenge from Sakalosky could force Terry to solidify his GOP base at the same time he will be pursuing independents and Democrats in Nebraska’s only swing district.

David Boomer, Terry’s campaign manager, said Sakalosky has “every right to run,” and he welcomed him into the race. He said Sakalosky’s candidacy will liven up the primary race.

“We’re going to be very active in reaching out to Republicans and telling them the work Terry has done. When all is said and done, we’re confident of a solid victory,” Boomer said.

Sakalosky, who calls himself a Reagan Republican, said the bank bailout vote ran counter to Terry’s claims of being a conservative. He said Terry deserted his principles.

“This is why I’m running. When the rubber meets the road, anyone can vote on the easy votes. It’s the hard votes when we need someone who will stand up for us,” he said.

Contact the writer:

444-1309, robynn.tysver@owh.com

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