The open race for the Omaha City Council seat to represent downtown and midtown has drawn multiple candidates ahead of city elections in the spring.
At least four people have requested the paperwork to collect signatures and petition their way onto the ballot for the District 3 seat to replace Council President Chris Jerram, who is not seeking reelection.
The city’s primary is April 6. The general election is May 11. The city election is officially nonpartisan.
On Wednesday, Craig Moody, chairman of the Omaha Public Power District board, ended his campaign for the seat.
Moody, who co-owns an Omaha sustainability firm, said he had been reflecting on what his leadership role should be as “a White man with privilege and little bit of political capital.” He endorsed another District 3 candidate, Camellia “Cammy” Watkins.

Cammy Watkins
Watkins, 40, is the deputy director of Inclusive Communities, a nonprofit that provides diversity, equity and inclusion programming in Nebraska and western Iowa. She said she has worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly 20 years.
Watkins’ campaign website has detailed proposals on a host of issues, including providing free public WiFi, ending food insecurity in Omaha and building up equitable housing opportunities for people across the income spectrum. Through policy and community partnerships, Watkins, an independent, says the city needs to shore up its mental health services and find ways to provide people with higher wages.
“We don’t really have much leadership in the city or at the local level that I would consider activist leadership,” Watkins said.

Danny Begley
Another candidate, Democrat Danny Begley, is vice president of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union and treasurer of the Omaha Federation of Labor.
Begley, a claims representative for the Omaha Public Power District, said his union background has taught him how important good-paying, protected jobs are for families.
He said public safety in the city is vital, as Omaha needs well-trained police officers and firefighters. Begley, 51, said he’ll work to build inclusive neighborhoods, maintain city streets and continue economic development in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
“I’m really thrilled at what’s happened (in the district) the last 10, 20 years, where neighborhoods are coming back to life,” Begley said.

Jen Bauer
Also in the race is Jennifer Bauer, an independent. She is a senior business analyst at Interpublic Group and the president of the Aksarben-Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association.
Bauer, 51, said she’ll advocate for small and locally owned businesses that have suffered because of the pandemic. She said Omaha needs to carefully manage its budget to lay the groundwork for the city’s needs 10 years down the line. As the leader of a large neighborhood association, Bauer said she has worked to build consensus with developers, residents and community leaders.
And, Bauer said, she’d like to move City Council meetings from 2 p.m. on Tuesdays to a time that is more accessible to all citizens.
“Community is very important to me, and I feel that we need to start being more accessible and transparent with our government,” she said.

Gilbert Ayala
Republican Gilbert Ayala, who has also taken out petitions, said he’s running to offer a conservative option for the district’s voters.
Ayala, 50, said he would push for lower taxes in Omaha. He said the city needs to eliminate its restaurant tax and at least partially cut its sales tax.
“I’m a strong believer in cutting our taxes,” he said.
The CVS shift supervisor said he believes in law and order. He said he is pro-life and against marijuana legalization.
Our best staff images from November 2020

Olivia Noonan, 3, of Omaha, looks up at Santa outside Mulhall's in Omaha on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. Reindeer Dasher and Dancer will be available to see through Dec. 19 at the garden and home store.

Iowa's Zach VanValkenburg catches a fumble from Nebraska's Adrian Martinez after he was sacked by Iowa's Chauncey Golston.

Iowa's Terry Roberts celebrates recovering a fumble from Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt.

A photo of Nathan Pastrana, left and Ryan Helbert sit in memorial across the street to the south of the Sonic at 1307 Cornhusker Rd, on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. A shooting on November 21st killed Pastrana, 22, and Helbert, 28, while Zoey Lujan, 18, and Kenneth Gerner, 25, suffered critical injuries.

Ring billed gulls try to stay dry on the dock at Big Lake Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.

The sun rises behind downtown Omaha on Friday, November 20, 2020.

Ord fans cheer on their team as they play in the Class C2 championship game against Bergan.

Protesters gather for the second night outside the Omaha Police Department headquarters in downtown Omaha on Saturday, November 21, 2020. Kenneth Jones, a Black man, was shot and killed by an officer after a traffic stop on Thursday night.

Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt hits Illinois’s Chase Brown after a first quarter run. Taylor-Britt would leave the game with an injury.

Ord players react as their Class C2 championship trophy is handed to them after defeating Bergan.

Omaha Westside quarterback Cole Payton (9) hugs and lifts head coach Brett Froendt following the Elkhorn South vs. Omaha Westside Class A football state championship game at Omaha Westside High School on Friday, November 20, 2020. Omaha Westside won the title 37-21.

Illinois's Josh Imatorbhebhe catches a second-quarter touchdown pass over Dicaprio Bootle to give them a 21-7 lead.

Aurora's Aaron Jividen, right, comforts Jameson Herzberg after the lost the Class B state title to Elkhorn.

The 2020 "Christmas at Union Station" tree is brought inside the Durham Museum in Omaha on Monday.

Nebraska kicks off to Penn State after a second-quarter touchdown to a nearly empty Memorial Stadium due to the pandemic.

Penn State's Will Levis is taken down by Nebraska's Ben Stille on the final down for the Penn State offense during their game Saturday in Lincoln.

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey, left, and Head Coach Scott Frost, right celebrate their win over Penn State.

Nebraska's Cam Taylor-Britt and Penn State's Jahan Dotson both go up for the ball in the end zone during their game on Saturday in Lincoln. The pass was incomplete.

Nebraska runs out of the field after the tunnel walk before they play Penn State.

Everyone tries to keep up with Nebraska's Luke McCaffrey during their game on Saturday in Lincoln.

Flags of the five military branches are flown during a Veterans Day drive-thru event at Platteview High School in Springfield on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. The student-led tradition, now in its nineteenth year, was held outside this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Dean Mathisen looks at memorials before the start of Veterans Days ceremonies at Memorial Park on Wednesday.

A woman waves from her car during a Veterans Day drive-thru event at Platteview High School in Springfield on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. The student-led tradition, now in its nineteenth year, was held outside this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nebraska's Luke McCaffrey is shoved out of bounds by Northwestern's Adetomiwa Adebawore during their game on Saturday in Evanston.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost walks on to the field with his team fir the start of their game on Saturday in Evanston.

Northwestern's Peyton Ramsey is hit by Nebraska's Luke Reimer and fumbles the ball during their game on Saturday in Evanston.

Isaiah Ross waves a Biden for President flag during a celebration at 72nd and Dodge Streets on Saturday.

A worker disinfects the seats inside Pinnacle Bank Arena between state volleyball matches on Friday, November 06, 2020.

Bellevue West wide receiver Keegan Johnson runs the ball with Kearney defensive back Tanner Johnson on his heels.

Omaha Skutt's Abigail Schomers celebrates a point against against Ashland Greenwood.

People eat lunch under a tree bearing bright autumn leaves at Miller Park in North Omaha on Thursday, November 5, 2020.

The sun sets near Bancroft Elementary School in southeast Omaha. The sun is going down a minute earlier every day, and this evening it will do so at 5:14.

Belleue West players celebrate a point against Papio South.

Derek Rau and his service dog Voodoo walk to a polling booth in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Alayna Gonzalez, 8 months, sits with her dad, Hector Gonzalez, of Omaha, while waiting for her mom, Ana Gayton (not pictured), to finish voting so he can take his turn at the Disabled American Veterans hall in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Voters occupy all the booths inside Bethel Lutheran Church, 1312 S. 45th St., on Tuesday. There were close to 30 people in line when the doors opened.

A person votes at the Omaha Community Playhouse in Omaha on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Volunteer Jay Mason throws way political signs that were too close to the polling place at Bethel Lutheran Church located at 1312 South 45th Street on Tuesday, November 03, 2020.

Bancroft Elementary School in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Sidewalk chalk messages at 13th and Bancroft Streets in South Omaha on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

Rep. Don Bacon greeted drivers at 72nd Street and Highway 370 in Papillion.

A spooky reminder to vote in a home's yard near 72nd and Cass Street in Omaha on Thursday, October 22, 2020.

The line for early voting wraps back and forth at the Douglas County Election Commission on Saturday, October 31, 2020.

Rep. Don Bacon leaves a brochure while campaigning door-to-door in Papillion on Friday.

Democrat Kara Eastman keeps an Election Day countdown in the front room of her campaign office at 72nd and Farnam Streets.

Rida Rahman, 4, waits in line with her parents, Hafiz Rahman, left, and Shamsun Ruby, right, at the Douglas County Election Commission on Saturday, October 31, 2020. Rida was dressed as Raphael, from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, while her parents were in line for early voting.
reece.ristau@owh.com, 402-444-1127