More names are surfacing as possible replacements for former Omaha City Councilman Vinny Palermo.

Palermo, a South Omaha Democrat who is jailed and accused of federal fraud and corruption charges, was ousted this week after three months of missed council meetings.

As for those names one is heating up the council selection process right from the start.

[View our full video report above]

Now that Vinny Palermo is ex-Omaha City Councilman Palermo, more names are surfacing in the bid to replace him.

News Channel Nebraska has learned that a key Democrat is looking at the job. Jim Rogers, the former Executive Director of the Nebraska Democratic Party, who ran against fellow Democrat Palermo and lost in 2017 [54%-46%] is "definitely thinking” about it. 

Joe Jordan. NCN: “Are you running?"

Rebecca Barrientos-Patlan (R):  "Yes, I am. Always have been, haven’t stopped. My boots are on the ground.”

Barrientos-Patlan, a Republican, was landslided by Palermo [61%-39%] in 2021, but in a Hispanic heavy District, 53 percent as NCN first reported, a push is underway to make ethnic history.

Joe Jordan: "Do you think it's time for a Hispanic on the city council in South Omaha?"

Ben Salazar, South Omaha Community activist (Independent): "I’d love it. I mean I think it’s overdue.”

Salazar is a registered independent.

Joe Jordan: "Ben Salazar says it's important for a Hispanic to represent that district but he’s never supported you."

Barrientos-Patlan: "Don’t ask me why. I guess I'm not brown enough." Salazar tells NCN he, “Doesn’t even know what that means,” and adds that Barrientos-Patlan is well to the political “right” of him.

South Omaha council hopefuls have two weeks to apply for the post.