Daub Ready To Lose Another Election

Former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub, who was defeated by Mike Fahey in 2001, is considering a run for office. The rumors have been flying since Fahey's 2005 reelection that Daub was considering a run for mayor in 2009, but today's Omaha World-Herald gives an indication that Daub may have his eyes set on another office: the U.S. Senate seat held by Chuck Hagel.

After winning a special election to succeed P.J. Morgan as mayor in 1995, then narrowly defeating Brenda Council in 1997, Daub saw his term in office marred by bickering and infighting with the Omaha City Council. In 2001, when Fahey defeated him, most of the Council was also swept out of office. If he tries to run against Fahey for mayor, I wonder if he would even have a chance.

In 2001, Fahey won largely because he promised to work with the City Council and restore civility in City Hall. In the last five years, he's done tremendous work with redevelopment in Omaha. His resounding victory in 2005 against a member of a prominent political family in Omaha gives an indication of just how much the people of this city appreciate Mike Fahey's leadership.

If he ran for an open Senate seat, Daub would likely face Jon Bruning, who faced no opposition in his race for Attorney General this year, in the primary. Rep. Lee Terry might also jump into the primary. Bruning would have to be the favorite to win the Republican nomination. On the Democrats' side, Fahey has expressed interest in running for Senate before, and Scott Kleeb is a favorite choice of many Democrats as well. The Democratic field for Senate, like the Republican field, will depend on whether or not Chuck Hagel decides to stroke his ego with a run for President. Either way, it seems, Hal Daub is giving the voters of Omaha, and Nebraska, yet another opportunity to reject him.