ELECTIONS ARE COMING! NEBRASKA IS NEXT STAY TUNED
Another week, another heated Republican primary.
On Tuesday it’s Nebraska’s turn, as Republican voters pick their nominee to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson. State Attorney General Jon Bruning, the front-runner, boasts more money than his rivals and has the backing of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He has led consistently in the polls, and he recently won the endorsement of Rick Santorum.
Running to his right is Treasurer Don Stenberg, propelled by the Club for Growth and the Senate Conservatives Fund, headed by Sen. Jim DeMint (R., S.C.). Those two groups regularly get involved in GOP primaries, backing candidates they see as uncompromisingly conservative. Both organizations supported Indiana Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who this past Tuesday upset Sen. Richard Lugar in Indiana.
The wild card: state Sen. Deb Fischer, who on Thursday won the endorsement of Sarah and Todd Palin.
Nebraska is one of Republicans’ biggest pickup opportunities as they try to erase Democrats’ 53-47 majority in the Senate. Tuesday’s GOP winner will face Democrat Bob Kerrey, a former Nebraska governor and senator who is widely seen as the one Democrat who could give his party a fighting chance in the state.
Republicans are seeking to portray Mr. Kerrey as a carpetbagger, noting that he has lived in New York for a decade. Mr. Kerrey, a former Navy SEAL wounded in Vietnam, says he has stayed in close touch with Nebraska, where he owns five restaurants and three health clubs.
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