Stothert running again, ready to vote for Trump
Mayor Jean Stothert, Omaha (R): “Why are we talking about the presidential race?”
Omaha’s Republican Mayor Jean Stothert has ended months of political speculation, announcing today that she is running for re-election.
When she won in 2017, she made history with an unprecedented third term.
The vote is just over a year away and so far, Stothert has no opponent, though there are Democrats looking at the race.
But also looming over the race, one key Republican, Donald Trump.
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Mayor Jean Stothert, the city’s first woman mayor and only mayor elected three times is looking to make history again, running for an unprecedented 4th term.
The spring 2025 election will be just months after another key election.
Joe Jordan, News Channel Nebraska: “Are you going to vote for Donald Trump for president?”
Mayor Jean Stothert, Omaha (R): “Why are we talking about the presidential race?”
Jordan: “I think people would like to know how the mayor is going to vote for president?”
Mayor Stothert: “Let’s see who the candidates are. Let’s see who they are first, OK? But, I’m a Republican and I vote Republican, you know that Joe Jordan.”
Jordan: “So that means you would vote for Donald Trump if he’s…”
Mayor Stothert: “If Donald Trump is the candidate I’m voting for Donald Trump.”
Stothert has never had a truly close race. In 2021, she won by 29 points; 2017 by 7 points; 2013 by 15 points.
This in a blue city: 40 percent Democrats, 33 percent Republicans, and 25 percent Independents.
Jordan: “Mayor you govern a blue city, more registered Democrats than Republicans, have you been that good, or is the Omaha Democratic Party just that bad?”
Mayor Stothert: “Joe Jordan, you never surprise me. I want to say that the job we are doing is that good.”
Topping the list of challengers to Stothert, Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing. The Democrat pictured here side by side with Stothert, noted in this Nebraska Democratic Party ‘Save the Date,’ that he’s announcing his run for mayor next week.
The two other most mentioned names to challenge Stothert are Democrats, State Sen. Mike McDonnell, and City Council President Pete Festersen.
State Sen. Mike McDonnell (D): “Thank you…”
It’s been a stormy few years for McDonnell, the Omaha labor leader and former fire chief, was the only Democrat in the Legislature backing a move to restrict abortions after six weeks. McDonnell defending his vote noting he’s “Pro-Life, a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church.” He’s also backed bills targeting transgender youth. All those votes finding him censured by the Democratic Party, but he told me recently the censure “does not affect my decision to run for mayor,” a decision expected in the next few months.
City Council President Pete Festersen (D): “Event there every year…”
City Council President Pete Festersen, who as we’ve reported has done a poll on the mayor’s race, has only said he’s still deciding about 2025.
Still one big question, will Stothert’s support for Trump help her, hurt her, or as she says, won’t matter.