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Kleeb: It's status quo or change

Scott Kleeb said Wednesday he welcomes Mike Johanns effort to draw attention to stark contrasts in this year s Senate race. There are very clear differences, the Democratic nominee said. He thinks things in Washington are just fine and I don t. He

Legislative candidates discuss fundraising approaches

Eight Lincoln area legislative candidates who advanced Tuesday to the general election spent a combined total of $110,000 on their primary campaigns, according to Accountability and Disclosure filings and the candidates. Three of the eight Jam

Tight legislative race in District 49 will result in recount

A tight race for second place is forcing a recount in the race for the District 49 seat held by Sen. Leroy Louden of Ellsworth. Louden won Tuesday with 72 percent of the vote. Just six votes divided challengers Michael Jacobson, who finished second,

Broken Bow nixes school bond

A new hospital and a new performing arts center were among the local issues decided during Nebraska s primary elections on Tuesday. Central City approved a new 520-seat, $4.6 million performing arts center. Just six months ago, a similar measure

Incumbents advance in NPPD races

Both Southeast Nebraska incumbents on the Nebraska Public Power District board of directors advanced to the November general election. Mary Harding, 53, of Lincoln, seeking her second term on the board, easily outdistanced three challengers for the S

Several factors help bring down jail bond vote

Barbara van den Berg wasn t confused, but she can understand how that could happen. Wording on bond issues can be difficult to decipher, said the Lincoln woman who deliberately voted no on Lancaster County s request to issue up to $65 million in

See where the votes came from

The votes have been counted and the remaining candidates have started to look forward to November. Here, you can see maps showing how candidates and issues fared in key races of Nebraska s Tuesday primary vote. Kleeb beats Raimondo in all but two cou

Jail bond issue defeated

Voters rejected a plan Tuesday to issue up to $65 million in bonds to pay for a new Lancaster County jail. But that won t derail plans to build a 664-bed jail at Southwest 40th and West O streets, say county commissioners who for months have ple

Voter turnout 26 percent in Lancaster County

Years ago, Ken Watson was talked into voting, and he hasn t missed an election since. I ve always been a political person, spilling out my two cents about the process, said Watson, 48. I had some friends ask me, Did you vote? I said, No, and the

Kleeb wins; Johanns goes on offense

Scott Kleeb swept past Tony Raimondo Tuesday night, setting the stage for a Senate showdown with Mike Johanns in November. Building on his high-profile congressional bid in western and central Nebraska two years ago, Kleeb expanded his reach statewid

Clinton showing stronger in primary than caucus

Nebraska Democrats appeared to be split fairly evenly between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a primary that does not count. Obama had a slight percentage lead statewide with a little more than 80 percent of the projected votes counted. In Lancas

Election to cause big turnover in Legislature

Lincoln will send at least three new senators to the Legislature next year. And on Tuesday voters narrowed the possibilities in three of four races. Former City Councilman Ken Haar and entrepreneur James Arthur Jeffers finished on top in District 2

Elmwood voters OK alcohol sales

Cass County Elmwood voters made history Tuesday by approving alcohol sales in the western Cass County community. If Coleman and Deb Lenz, owners of CD s Express convenience store, proceed with their plans, beer and liquor will be sold within the town

Four counties give mail-in ballots a try

Nearly half of Cherry County s registered voters had the chance to cast their ballots before the polls even opened on Tuesday. About 2,000 of the county s 4,200 registered voters 16 of the county s 22 precincts received their primary election bal

Election drama centers on two Democratic primaries

With little at stake in Nebraska presidential contests, the focus Tuesday was on two contested Democratic primaries. Democrats Tony Raimondo a former Republican and Scott Kleeb who lost the 3rd District House race in 2006 are battling for the

Justice Department oversees elections in Colfax County

OMAHA The U.S. Department of Justice was monitoring Colfax County primary elections in eastern Nebraska on Tuesday to ensure compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act. The department also announced it would monitor elections in Bergen County, N

Esch gets rematch with Terry

Jim Esch sailed Tuesday night to a November rematch with Republican Rep. Lee Terry in metropolitan Omaha s 2nd District. Esch, 32, swamped Richard Carter to win the Democratic nomination in the featured House primary election contest. Two years ago,

Clare, Scudder advance to general election

A pair of Lincoln attorneys cruised to the top two spots in the primary race for the District 1 University of Nebraska Board of Regents seat, with a little-funded third candidate finishing last. In advancing to the general election in November, Tim C

Amendment 1 appears headed for victory

Voters appeared to approve a state constitutional amendment Tuesday that would give cities broader investment strategies for endowment funds. Amendment 1, put on the ballot by the Legislature, will allow city leaders to invest endowment funds in the

Jail bond issue defeated

Voters rejected a plan Tuesday to issue up to $65 million in bonds to pay for a new Lancaster County jail. But that won t derail plans to build a 664-bed jail at Southwest 40th and West O streets, say county commissioners who for months have ple

City charter amendment approved

Voters overwhelmingly approved a charter amendment that gives the mayor and city of Lincoln more authority to make purchases and sign contracts without as much red tape. The amendment affects how the city buys materials, parts, supplies and equipment

Voter turnout may be around 25 percent

Years ago, Ken Watson was talked into voting, and he hasn t missed an election since. I ve always been a political person, spilling out my two cents about the process, said Watson, 48. I had some friends ask me, Did you vote? I said, No, and the

Kleeb wins; Johanns goes on offense

Scott Kleeb swept past Tony Raimondo Tuesday night, setting the stage for a Senate showdown with Mike Johanns in November. Building on his high-profile congressional bid in western and central Nebraska two years ago, Kleeb expanded his reach statewid

Clinton showing stronger in primary than caucus

Nebraska Democrats appeared to be split fairly evenly between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a primary that does not count. Obama had a slight percentage lead statewide with a little more than 80 percent of the projected votes counted. In Lancas

Kleeb, Raimondo battle is highlight of primary

Scott Kleeb and Tony Raimondo battle for the Senate Democratic nomination in this year s premier primary election scrap. On the Republican side, Mike Johanns, former governor and recently U.S. secretary of agriculture, faces Schuyler businessman Pat

Analysis: Clinton s W.Va. win too late to save her

NEW YORK Hillary Rodham Clinton saved her best for too late. The former first lady soundly thumped rival Barack Obama in West Virginia on Tuesday just as the Illinois senator well ahead in the popular vote and among pledged delegates was beginn

Obama begins fall campaign in earnest

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. Let the general election begin. Not officially, of course, because Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has not conceded defeat, and Sen. Barack Obama has not secured enough delegates to make it mathematically impossible for her to catch

Clinton trounces Obama in West Virginia

CHARLESTON, W.Va. Hillary Rodham Clinton coasted to a large but largely symbolic victory in working-class West Virginia on Tuesday, handing Barack Obama one of the worst defeats of the campaign yet scarcely slowing his march toward the Democratic p

County Board race sees Baier, Heier in lead

Challenger Barbara Baier and incumbent Bernie Heier secured the most votes in their respective races for seats on the Lancaster County Board, according to unofficial primary election results. But the contest for the two open seats is a trial run. All

Frequently asked Election Day questions

When are the polls open? Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. How do I know where to vote? To find where you are supposed to vote, log on to the State of Nebraska VoterCheck site at www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov . Or call your county clerk/election

Hart says it s GOP that may rupture

This year s long and contentious Democratic presidential battle will end with Barack Obama and a healed party, former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart said Saturday night. In fact, he suggested, it actually may be the Republican Party that splinters before th

Johanns wins Journal Star endorsement

Mike Johanns is well-suited to represent Nebraska s interests and values in the U.S. Senate. Nebraskans, especially Lincoln residents, are familiar with Johanns blend of talent, temperament and political philosophy. He survived, learned and flourish

Johanns says he's trusted, tested choice

Mike Johanns is positioning himself as the experienced, trusted and dependable conservative in Nebraska s 2008 Senate race. He s also the best-known, best-financed and most highly credentialed candidate. My message is less government, lower taxes, pr

Flynn says he's the real conservative

Underdog Pat Flynn is making the case he s the reliable Republican conservative in Tuesday s Senate primary election. Career politicians have demonstrated they aren t dependable once they reach Washington, the Schuyler financial adviser says. Flynn

Raimondo gets Esch endorsement

OMAHA Democratic Senate hopeful Tony Raimondo has received an endorsement from an unexpected source Jim Esch, who s running for the 2nd District House seat. Esch, also a Democrat, said Thursday he knows some people will be surprised by the endors

Low voter turnout expected for Tuesday's primary

Election officials are predicting a low voter turnout for Tuesday s primary elections. Secretary of State John Gale said Thursday he expects 27 percent of registered voters to head to the polls, a reflection, he said, of few high-profile races in the

Mayor, Council endorse Amendment 1

Mayor Chris Beutler and the Lincoln City Council have endorsed Amendment 1, a proposed change to the Nebraska Constitution on the May 13 primary ballot. The amendment would allow broader investment authority for public endowment funds, such as Lincol

Joy: Population losses a concern among voters

Jerry Joy in five: 1. I have been an educator all my life and have been in higher education for about 45 years. 2. I was born and reared on a farm and I have farming interests. 3. I like people. I like to sit and talk to people and listen to people.

Heidemann: Illegal immigration a federal issue

Lavon Heidemann in five: 1. I consider myself fiscally responsible. Some call me fiscally conservative. Senator (Ron) Raikes calls me, pure and simply, tight. 2. I value honesty and integrity. I don t appreciate people who don t tell it straight. 3.

Jeffers: Economy is hurting young people

Candidate James Arthur Jeffers in five: 1. I have been married 54 years and have five children, 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. I am very much a family man. 2. I am very much into sports aviation. I have a military training airplane, a

Haar: We must be wise stewards of our resources

Candidate Ken Haar in five: I am a grandfather of three lovely children. This has focused my attention on our responsibility to be wise stewards of our natural resources and to exercise good judgment to guarantee a future for all generations to come.

Barrett: Leaders need to listen

Candidate Vern Barrett in five: 1. I am the father of six adult children. 2. In my job of helping leaders across the state, I have learned the ability to listen is one of the most important behaviors a leader can develop. 3. I have visited every st

Soper: God, family come first

Candidate Tami Soper in five: 1. God and family come first in my life. Of all of the hats I wear, none is as important, or as rewarding, as being a wife and mother. 2. I was blessed with an amazing family. My parents, Ada and Rob Robinson, my brother

Schell: Exercise mind, body, spirit

Candidate Curtis Schell in five: 1. I am a born-again Christian. 2. I am a single father with custody of my 16-year-old daughter Taylor Lynn. The greatest achievement in my life has been watching my daughter grow and mature. 3. I am enjoying reading

Stepanek: Take on tasks with passion

Candidate Chuck Stepanek in five: 1. I m the weather man. I fill in occasionally doing the weather on Channel 10-11. 2. I am a man of passion. When I take on a task or have something to accomplish, I take it on with passion. It is passion that gets r

Marvin: Every day brings new challenges

Candidate Dan Marvin in five: 1. I ve been in investment management most of my life. I handled my first stock transaction when I was 14. I ve been involved in investing money for 35 years now. And it s what I really enjoy. More so when the arrows a

Coash: Make change happen

Candidate Colby Coash in five: 1. I am a Sandhills kid. I grew up in the Sandhills. I m committed to Lincoln, but the Sandhills are my roots. 2. I work in the disability field. And I am highly inspired by the people with disabilities that I have work

U.S. Chamber endorses Johanns

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday endorsed Mike Johanns for election to the Senate. As secretary of agriculture and as governor of Nebraska, Mike Johanns has been a forceful advocate for policies that promote economic prosperity and job growth

Fulton: Devotion to family, work are priorities

Candidate Tony Fulton in five: 1. I am a husband who, after 10 years, is still deeply in love with his wife. This is my No. 1 responsibility in life. 2. I am a daddy to five little children. If I fail at No. 1 or No. 2, not much else matters to me. 3

Raimondo touts his real-world experience

The cavernous TV studio is dark except for the bright lights in the corner. Tony Raimondo is sitting at ease in the glare, talking about jobs and trade and getting America back on the move. And when the taped interview with Todd Andrews at KETV in O