From the
Lincoln Journal Star:
Former Attorney General Don Stenberg appeared poised Wednesday to jump into the 2006 Republican Senate race and seek a rematch with Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson.
Stenberg, who served as attorney general for 12 years, will hold a news conference today at Republican state headquarters to make "an important announcement about his future political plans." All signs pointed to his third bid for a seat in the Senate.
Stenberg, who left the attorney general's office in 2003 to enter private practice in Omaha, lost to Nelson in 2000 by 15,000 votes.
But Stenberg supporters are quick to point out that was the closest margin since Nebraska began directly electing senators by popular vote in 1916 and that the Republican voter registration advantage over Democrats has grown by 34,000 since 2000.
On the other hand, Democrats note, Nelson won that 2000 election swimming against a Republican tide in a presidential election year. Even though George W. Bush defeated Al Gore by 202,000 votes, they point out, Stenberg was defeated.
"Nebraska voters are likely to be reminded they've already decided this contest," Democratic state executive director Barry Rubin said.
"Most Nebraskans will remember Don Stenberg's ideological extremism and his failure to connect with Nebraska families," Rubin said.
The article also notes that Nelson has already raised $1.5m for his re-election.
