Columbus industrialist Tony Raimondo said Monday he’s considering entering the 2008 Senate race as a Democrat.

Raimondo, who stepped away from a possible Republican bid after Mike Johanns entered the contest, said he’s been urged by national and state Democratic officials to consider making the race within their party.

“Those discussions are continuing to move on,” Raimondo said.  “Obviously, there’s some interest on both sides.”

Attorney General Jon Bruning’s recent withdrawal from the GOP Senate primary race was “disappointing,” Raimondo said.  “The state deserves some competition.”

Raimondo, chairman of Behlen Manufacturing Co., said he’s “always been a moderate” who has worked closely with both Democrats and Republicans.

“My burning desire to be in the Senate is from a business point of view,” Raimondo said in a telephone interview.

At a time when “one of the real key issues is how we compete globally,” he said, he could offer experience and expertise in economic development and competition in a global marketplace.

In addition, Raimondo said, he believes he could be effective in a sharply split Senate which “needs a lot more partnering, decisiveness and teamwork.”

Raimondo pointed to his working relationships with Democratic Govs. Ben Nelson and Bob Kerrey and Republican Govs. Kay Orr, Dave Heineman and Johanns.

A nationally recognized businessman, Raimondo was in line to be named in 2004 as the Bush administration’s manufacturing czar until the appointment was caught in a political snarl.

Raimondo has been on the board of the National Association of Manufacturers since 1996.

If Raimondo switches parties and seeks the Senate seat as a Democrat, he may be hoping lightning will strike twice.  In 1976, Omaha Mayor Ed Zorinsky changed parties from Republican to Democratic and won election to the Senate.

“It’s all speculative for now,” Raimondo said, “but I have not closed the door.”

Raimondo has close ties with Nelson, who has been Nebraska’s Democratic senator since 2001.  Nelson was a Behlen director before his election to the Senate, then moved to the company’s board of advisors.

The 2008 Senate seat is being vacated by Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, who decided not to seek a third term.

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey and Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey turned thumbs down on a possible Democratic race in 2008.  Still pondering a bid is Scott Kleeb of Hastings, the party’s 2006 congressional nominee in western and central Nebraska’s 3rd District.

The entry of Johanns into the Republican race triggered withdrawals by former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub and Bruning.  Raimondo said he no longer would consider a  GOP bid after Heineman endorsed Johanns.

Johanns resigned as U.S. secretary of agriculture to return to Nebraska to seek the Senate seat.

Schuyler businessman Pat Flynn is his only Republican opponent.

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