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Witek leaves GOP

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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Aug 18, 2006 - 01:24:56 pm CDT

Nebraska Democrats now have a Statehouse officeholder.

State Auditor Kate Witek, a lifelong Republican who was GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Osborne’s lieutenant governor running mate just three months ago, switched parties this week.

“I got to the point where it seemed the Republican Party was only looking at controlling all the offices instead of looking at resolving all the problems challenging this state,” Witek said Thursday.

Story Photo
Witek

The Democratic Party seemed more open to issues that concern her, Witek said, including “getting spending under control” and requiring more accountability in state government.

“Peformance auditing is a big issue for me,” the two-term state auditor said.

Witek said she plans to attend Saturday’s Democratic state convention in Grand Island.

“They seem very accepting and very open,” she said, “and I’m going to take them up on it. 

“People are starting to realize we do have to move toward each other and work together (on issues) like smaller government and lower taxes.”

Witek, 51, a former state senator from Omaha who was elected auditor in 1998, did not seek re-election and will leave office next January.

State Sen. Mike Foley of Lincoln is the Republican nominee to succeed Witek. Democrats did not field a candidate in the May primary election.

“I’m doing what I think is the right thing,” Witek said. “I thought about it quite a while. I hope people will realize I’m trying to get things done. I’m kind of excited about it.”

Witek said she has visited with Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Hahn and believes he is “well-versed on a lot of the issues” important to her.

Hahn is challenging Republican Gov. Dave Heineman. The governor defeated Osborne, the 3rd District congressman, in the GOP primary election.

“I’m sure I’m not going to agree with everyone in the Democratic Party,” Witek said. “But if it’s big enough for Ben Nelson and (Omaha Mayor) Mike Fahey, it’s big enough hopefully for Kate Witek.”

Asked if she can be comfortable as a pro-life advocate in a party whose national platform is pro-choice, Witek pointed to Nelson, who is seeking re-election to the Senate this November.

Nelson also is pro-life, she said, and doesn’t agree with his national party on that issue.

“I’m not sure that is a party issue anyway,” Witek said. “It’s a personal issue.”

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.


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An Absolute Crock wrote on August 18, 2006 12:35 am:
" I poured out 9 months of my heart and soul for Kate Witek in the Osborne campaign. Now she turns her back on us? Good riddance. An absolute joke. Despicable. "

 DT wrote on August 18, 2006 12:43 am:
" Yes, being pro life or pro choice should be a personal issue not a politiical issue. Foley as our next auditor! Wasn't he caught mis-leading fellow legislators this past session? What a sign of the job he'll do as State Auditor. "

 KLM wrote on August 18, 2006 2:36 am:
" Wow! This is unexpected. Maybe Ms. Witek will now feel more comfortable talking about Dave Heineman and his then-henchwoman Loralee Byrd retaliating against her by going on a furniture-flipping rampage through her office. Seriously, who would do something so childish? Paging, Dr. Tom. Paging, Dr. Tom. There's room enough for you as well, Coach. "

 Ricky wrote on August 18, 2006 6:58 am:
" Kate will be welcomed to the Democrats. Now maybe Ben Nelson will leave and become the Republican he votes like. Then Sen Hagel will not want to be in the same party as Nelson and he too will change and become a Democrat. Ricky From Omaha "

 Personal Issue??? wrote on August 18, 2006 7:05 am:
" to people in your new party who don't consider persons, persons. "

 al wrote on August 18, 2006 7:20 am:
" Good luck Kate. I'm sure your approval rating just dropped off the cliff!! "

 Charlie wrote on August 18, 2006 7:20 am:
" Please, please, please don't let her become the lieutenant governor or auditor candidate in the Democratic party!!!! Please, please, please. "

 DP wrote on August 18, 2006 7:28 am:
" Now more than ever the registered voters in Nebraska must be pleased for not putting TO in the Governor's race, he was running with a flip flopper. Never have been a fan of Kate Witek her actions are not a surprise. "

 Tom wrote on August 18, 2006 7:30 am:
" WAKE UP DEMOCRATS, this is not about your party or the republican party. This is about KATE WITEK WANTING TO STAY IN OFFICE. Purely selfish decision to benifit one person. "

 Beware wrote on August 18, 2006 7:46 am:
" Beware of the wolf in a sheep's disguise. "

 Terry wrote on August 18, 2006 7:47 am:
" Last death rattle of a washed-up political career. "

 Jamie wrote on August 18, 2006 8:15 am:
" Go Kate Go! It's so refreshing to see someone stand up for what they believe in. Witek will probably get slack from some republicans, but I believe it is inspirational to see a politician put their beliefs ahead of their party. And all too rare these days. Good for Kate. "

 chode wrote on August 18, 2006 8:21 am:
" Good riddance! "

 Kent wrote on August 18, 2006 8:22 am:
" No Kate, abortion is a national issue, making it a party issue, and if you're truly pro-life you would realized that. Not sure what kind of shell game you're playing here, but I'm even more convinced I voted correctly when I cast my vote for Heineman in the primary. Ever consider that those issues you complained about are partly your own making? So just jump ship and blame the party so you're not held accountable anymore. Don't let the door hit you on your way out in January. "

 GOP_Leader wrote on August 18, 2006 8:30 am:
" The dems can have her. Nobody could stand her in the GOP anyway. "

 Laura wrote on August 18, 2006 8:38 am:
" I'm a Democrat, and I'm not sure I want her in my Party. "

 Mark wrote on August 18, 2006 8:52 am:
" This is just a moveso she can become Hahns running mate and run him into the ground also. "

 Mark wrote on August 18, 2006 9:15 am:
" John Breslow did the same thing and lost alot of support. Beware the wolf. "

 Greg wrote on August 18, 2006 9:24 am:
" I cannot believe the sour grapes of this crowd. Nebraska Republicans are so fixated on their own ambitions, they've left regular folks behind. Witek should be commended for recognizing that there is more to public office than taking over and more to being a leader than blindly following hagel and heineman. "

 big dem wrote on August 18, 2006 9:25 am:
" I'm not sure this is good news for the Dems. I don't want to be affiliated with her or her politics. "

 Fellow Democrat wrote on August 18, 2006 9:46 am:
" Does anyone else in our party have this sick feeling in their stomach? Surely, this should be viewed with extreme skepticism and it makes me sick to have listened to Kate during the primary and now to have her in our party only for, what appears to be, personal gain!!!!! "

 Cally wrote on August 18, 2006 9:51 am:
" If Kate Witek were just some self-interested politician, she would stay a Republican. After all they have a huge registration advantage. But clearly, she's someone who has higher values than political ambition. Good for her for standing up for those values and going to the political party she thinks would best serve Nebraskans. "

 Austin wrote on August 18, 2006 9:52 am:
" Do all of you people really think that having every state-wide office held by a Republican and having the unicam chalk-full of Republicans is good for the health of Nebraska? Maybe Kate Witek got tired of being pushed around by the Groupthink mentality of the Nebraska GOP and decided that she could spark change and speak her mind as the experienced state leader and public servant she is. I think this is a blessing for Nebraskans, and I congratulate Kate for following her principles!! "

 Larry wrote on August 18, 2006 9:57 am:
" I registered as a republican to vote against TO because, and only because, she was his running mate. "

 Sandy wrote on August 18, 2006 10:01 am:
" Take a look at the leaders in this state who are members of the Democratic party: Ben Nelson and Mike Fahey, two men who take principled and independent stands to fight for Nebraska and Omaha respectively. There is a difference between the Democratic party here in Nebraska and the Democratic party in Massachussetts, and I think that Kate Witek will fit right in and be able to get things done standing alongside men like Ben and Mike. Go get em' Kate! "

 Pro-Life Dems wrote on August 18, 2006 10:06 am:
" For those of you bashing Kate saying she can't be a Democrat because she's pro-life, did you also know that Ben Nelson, Mike Fahey, Jim Esch (2nd Dist Congressional Candidate), and Scott Kleeb (3rd Dist Congressional Candidate)? Most of the major Democratic candidates in the state are pro-life. It may be a party issue nationally, but in Nebraska, it's a personal issue. "

 Levi wrote on August 18, 2006 10:50 am:
" We are an open party of open views. I'm glad someone can change if they see their party heading in the wrong direction. Any Democrat, even though Im pro-choice, who judges her on what she see's as personal issues, should really become a republican, since they seem to mostly about a one issue platform. Even though I vote Democrat, there are issues I see on the republican side occasionally. I'm glad my democrat friends dont judge me. "

 Liz wrote on August 18, 2006 10:53 am:
" Is this a joke? What a sad state of affairs the "Democratic" party is in Nebraska. "

 JA wrote on August 18, 2006 11:15 am:
" Does the Independant ticket have a platform? From how she describes her views, shouldn't she be registering independent? Maybe it's a party for people who concern themselves more with issues than with elections. Just a thought. "

 Panhandle wrote on August 18, 2006 11:34 am:
" Good for her! Following her beliefs and thinking for herself instead of marching blindly in step to the party line. "

 Jon wrote on August 18, 2006 11:54 am:
" Just because a republican sees the light of the party and changes doesn't make her a party pooper. I'm republican and will probably change too. I've been ashamed for awhile to call myself a republican. And alot of people in other states are saying the same thing. The republicans are for the rich and helping them to make them richer. They don't vote on good conscience like Ben Nelson, theres too many that blow with the wind like Hagel and Heineman for their own personal gain, and their help for the struggling Nebraskans is a farce. What have they done about the property tax. Nothing!! Stick with Ben, Kate!! "

 John wrote on August 18, 2006 11:59 am:
" Jon Bruning was a Democrat. Carl Curtis was a Democrat. Ed Zorinsky was a Republican. The list goes on. Many politicians change party for gain or to be honest with themselves. Welcome, Kate. I give you the benefit of the doubt. The Democratic Party is open to all people of good will. "

 lp wrote on August 18, 2006 1:04 pm:
" Go Kate Go!! After all if she doesn't look out for herself, who will? "

 LN wrote on August 18, 2006 3:04 pm:
" The problem too many people, whether republican or democrat, disregard the issues and just blindly vote their party like they were at a ball game. Not all republicans or democrats are created equal!! "

 I'll bet... wrote on August 18, 2006 4:23 pm:
" ...that we see Kate Witek: a) Running for re-election as State Auditor as a Democrat; b) Running for Lt. Governor as a Democrat. One question for Ms. Witek: If Tom Osborne had won the primary, would you be "following your conscience", "standing up for your principles", etc., and joining the Democratic party today? I didn't think so. So please list for me the big changes in the Republican Party that have all come about since last May's election. "

 cl wrote on August 18, 2006 4:41 pm:
" Many people don't like Kate's politics. However the real problem is that if the Dems put Kate forward against Foley them people will have to hold their noses when they vote. Which is worse? An unqualified candidate with an agenda (Witek) or a qualified candidate (Foley) who can't be trusted and also has an agenda. What is comes down to is that Kate needed a job, she has no qualifications, and changing party makes it easy for her to run for reelection. Seriously doubt she hadn't thought of this when she went on her futile quest for the Lt Governor slot. "

 Dean wrote on August 18, 2006 5:30 pm:
" to cl - how is witek unqualifed? she's held the job for eight years! "

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