DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, August 17, 2006 7:00 pm
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.
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.