Lincoln arena vote hailed

Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler is praising the city's voters after they approved the proposal to issue $25 million in bonds to help build a new downtown sports and concert arena.

"This was a difficult vote because it's the largest project of all time in Lincoln -- and it's being suggested to people during a severe recession," the mayor said.

Turnout was nearly 40 percent of registered voters, higher than the rest of the state.

Beutler had championed the project to revitalize the city's West Haymarket District and bring new business and economic development.

The arena, costing $168 million to build, will be the new home for the University of Nebraska basketball teams and provide a modern venue for concerts and other attractions.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman and Athletic Director Tom Osborne said Wedneday that the outcome wasn't as close as they had feared.

"It was more substantial support than I thought,'' Perlman said of the 56 percent-to-44 percent margin. "I'm a pessimist on elections, so I was getting a little nervous.''

As for Osborne, he thought it would be "a real nail-biter -- 1 or 2 percent either way," he said.

Winning voter approval was a good step forward, Osborne told a press conference. "It showed that there is a pretty good sense of vision and purpose from enough of our citizenry to carry forward.''

The project will provide a new home for the Nebraska men's and women's basketball teams starting in the fall of 2013.

The Lincoln vote was one of the most-watched on election night.

The other came in the 2nd Congressional District, where the race to the general election got off to a fast start between six-term Republican incumbent Lee Terry and Democrat Tom White.

Terry saw more than one-third of his party's vote go to a relative newcomer, tea party supporter and political unknown Matt Sakalosky.

White, who was unopposed, and Terry wasted little time trading barbs after results were clear Tuesday night.

White called Terry “ineffective,” and Terry called White's comments “asinine.”

In Omaha, voters backed $79.3 million in bonds for improvements to sewers, parks, public safety, public facilities and streets. Of that total, highway and street improvement and bridge construction will receive $44.3 million.

Voters in Bellevue, Nebraska's third-largest city, will choose between political newcomer and businesswoman Rita Sanders and Steve Exon for mayor in November. Exon is the son of the late governor and U.S. Sen. J.J. Exon. Former Bellevue Mayor Jerry Ryan won't advance.

Five-term Sarpy County Surveyor Tom Lynam was ousted by Republican challenger Denny Wilson in the GOP primary. No Democrat is seeking the office.

Gov. Dave Heineman turned back two opponents in the Republican primary. In the fall, he will face Democrat Mark Lakers, an Omaha businessman who ran unopposed Tuesday.

Nebraska's other Republican congressmen, Adrian Smith of Gering and Jeff Fortenberry of Lincoln also advanced to the general election

There were numerous uncontested, or lightly contested, primaries.

Among statewide offices, the most competitive was the Republican battle for state treasurer. It featured former Attorney General Don Stenberg, State Sen. Tony Fulton of Lincoln and Tom Nesbitt, former head of the Nebraska State Patrol. The winner will face Democrat Mark Stoj of Omaha.

These candidates also were nominated Tuesday for the November general election:

• Secretary of State John Gale, a Republican, will face Democrat Janet Stewart. Both were unopposed in Tuesday's primary.

• Attorney General Jon Bruning and State Auditor Mike Foley, both Republicans, had no primary opposition. No Democrats filed for their offices.

• Veteran State Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha was renominated and has no opposition in the fall. Also advancing to the fall ballot (and their opponents) were State Sens. Steve Lathrop of Omaha (John J. Lillis) and Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha (Carl Lorenzen).

• A slate of Douglas County officeholders had no opposition in the primary and have no opponents in the fall: Assessor Roger Morrissey, Attorney Don Kleine, Clerk of the District Court John Friend, Engineer Tom Doyle, Sheriff Tim Dunning.

• Former Omaha Mayor P.J. Morgan, a Republican seeking to return to the Douglas County Board, ran unopposed in the primary and has no opposition in the fall. It was the same story for incumbent Pam Tusa, a Democrat.

World-Herald staff writer Lee Barfknecht contributed to this report.

COMPLETE ELECTION COVERAGE

• Congress: Terry, White exchanging blows

• Sarpy County: Surveyor Lynam ousted

• Lincoln Arena: Voters say yes

• State Treasurer: Stenberg wins GOP nod

• Legislature: Dierks faces tough race

• Legislature: Close race in District 14

• Omaha Bonds: All are approved

• Mayors: Bellevue rejects Ryan

• Amendment 1: Nonprofits get boost

• Fluoride: Gretna says yes, barely

• Schools: Newcomer finds success

• State Treasurer: PSC probes Fulton's telephone calls

• Turnout: A slow day at the polls

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