2008 Woodie Awards
Democrats vie for Nebraska Congressional positions
Katie Steiner
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: News
During the last week, various Nebraska Democrats have announced their candidacies for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Richard Carter, 30, announced Monday he was running for the Democratic nomination in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
The 2nd District covers all of Douglas County, which consists of the Omaha metropolitan area, and the urbanized areas of Sarpy County. The seat is currently held by Republican Lee Terry, who will be seeking his sixth term.
Carter's opponent in the Democratic primary is Jim Esch, who had a stronger-than-expected race against Terry in 2006.
Esch, 32, said the success of the Nebraska's Democratic presidential caucus, as well as the encouragement of supporters from his last campaign, convinced him to run once again for Congress.
"I thought I owe it to myself to take another look at it," Esch said. "I would regret not trying again."
Esch said the main difference between himself and Carter is that Esch has lived in Omaha for his entire life, and has "a huge passion for Omaha. We're a great city that can be even better," he said.
Running for the 1st Congressional District seat is Max Yashirin, a 25-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln student and a former sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.
Yashirin is the only Democrat competing to represent the 1st District, which includes the eastern part of the state. He will be going up against Republican Jeff Fortenberry, who has served in the House for two terms.
Yashirin told the Daily Nebraskan in February that, referring to Fortenberry and the entire U.S. Congress, the country needed to "clean house."
"We have 34,000 children without health insurance," Yashirin said. "For me, that's just appalling."
Competing for the Democratic ticket in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District will be Paul Spatz of Osmond and Jay Stoddard of Grand Island. The House seat is currently held by Republican Adrian Smith, who is up for re-election for a second term.
The primary election is May 13.
"It's a really exciting time to be a Democrat in Nebraska," said Eric Van Horn, field organizer for the Nebraska Democratic Party. "Contested primaries mean the Democratic Party is the party giving Nebraskans a choice."
katiesteiner@dailynebraskan.com
Richard Carter, 30, announced Monday he was running for the Democratic nomination in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
The 2nd District covers all of Douglas County, which consists of the Omaha metropolitan area, and the urbanized areas of Sarpy County. The seat is currently held by Republican Lee Terry, who will be seeking his sixth term.
Carter's opponent in the Democratic primary is Jim Esch, who had a stronger-than-expected race against Terry in 2006.
Esch, 32, said the success of the Nebraska's Democratic presidential caucus, as well as the encouragement of supporters from his last campaign, convinced him to run once again for Congress.
"I thought I owe it to myself to take another look at it," Esch said. "I would regret not trying again."
Esch said the main difference between himself and Carter is that Esch has lived in Omaha for his entire life, and has "a huge passion for Omaha. We're a great city that can be even better," he said.
Running for the 1st Congressional District seat is Max Yashirin, a 25-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln student and a former sergeant in the United States Marine Corps.
Yashirin is the only Democrat competing to represent the 1st District, which includes the eastern part of the state. He will be going up against Republican Jeff Fortenberry, who has served in the House for two terms.
Yashirin told the Daily Nebraskan in February that, referring to Fortenberry and the entire U.S. Congress, the country needed to "clean house."
"We have 34,000 children without health insurance," Yashirin said. "For me, that's just appalling."
Competing for the Democratic ticket in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District will be Paul Spatz of Osmond and Jay Stoddard of Grand Island. The House seat is currently held by Republican Adrian Smith, who is up for re-election for a second term.
The primary election is May 13.
"It's a really exciting time to be a Democrat in Nebraska," said Eric Van Horn, field organizer for the Nebraska Democratic Party. "Contested primaries mean the Democratic Party is the party giving Nebraskans a choice."
katiesteiner@dailynebraskan.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Robert J Van Valkenburg
posted 4/02/08 @ 3:25 PM CST
I am insulted that this appears in the daily nebraksan - The democratic party is quoted and not the republicans? Your bias is obvious and I will be taking this to your superiors?
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