Former Husker quarterback challenges Lee Terry for Republican nomination

A former Husker is once again throwing his hat into the field. But this time it's the political arena instead of Memorial Stadium.

Brett Lindstrom, an Omaha financial adviser and a former Nebraska football player, is challenging Republican Congressman Lee Terry for the second district Republican U.S. House of Representatives nomination in next May's primary election.

Lindstrom said he decided to run after many experiences with concerned citizens he saw being a financial adviser, especially after the recent economic recession.

"I think it's time to make a change," he said. "Who better to deal with a financial crisis than someone who is a financial adviser?"

Lindstrom said he has thought about running for a number of years, but the timing worked out now for him to run for office.

Lindstrom's opponent, Terry, was first elected to office after running in the 1998 election. He is currently serving his seventh term as a representative.

"Everyone has the right to run, and we've had primary opponents before," said David Boomer, campaign manager for Terry. "We've had successful campaigns that led to us winning the nomination, and I'm confident that will happen again."

Terry ran against competitors in the Republican primary in 2004, 2008 and 2010. Having Lindstrom as a competitor will not change Terry's campaign strategy.                                                                                                                                           

"We'll continue to run the campaign we've won in the past, which is Lee getting out and meeting his constituents," Boomer said.

Lindstrom said the people in office have not done enough.

"We don't need politicians," he said. "We need problem-solvers. We need to stop borrowing. We need to stop spending. In terms of entitlement programs, we need to be sensitive to those people."

The former backup quarterback said young people are having problems finding jobs, and he said wants help them.

"We need to be able to create less red tape for them and businesses," he said.

On his campaign website, Terry said he "believe(s) that every child deserves the chance to receive a high education" and that "education is the key to America's future."

Terry has been a strong supporter of student loans and federal funding when available, Boomer said.

On his website, Terry said the education system needs to be more accountable.

"If the power to make important decisions involving education is made through local administrators and parents, accountability systems would be easier to implement and follow up on," he said.

Lindstrom is also an advocate for making local governments more responsible and accountable for education.

He said he wanted to "make it less of a bureaucracy and give it back to the local area."

Lindstrom laughed when asked if being a former Husker would help him in the race.

"I think at the end of the day, people — all people — care about who's better for them and their family," he said.

"It doesn't hurt," he said. "Do I think something will result of it? Probably not."

kimbuckley@dailynebraskan.com