MAYORAL RACE:
MCDONNELL CAMPAIGN:
I'm Jill Lamkins following the McDonnell campaign.
He's optimistic after a blitz of campaigning and text messages from his supporters, including the police and fire unions.
We caught up with him this morning when he cast his vote.
The former state senator and city fire chief has pegged his campaign on the streetcar. He has promised voters that he'll stop the project and believes there are enough people who feel the same way to propel him to the general election.
“A lot of people are putting their faith in our campaign going forward, and we're listening, we’re working hard, and we’re telling you the truth. That’s what we started with a week before Thanksgiving, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do,” said McDonnell.
McDonnell has received a large amount of support from the Omaha police and fire unions—not surprising, as he was the longtime head of the local firefighter’s union. That labor connection propelled him into the Unicameral when he ran as a Democrat for the first time in 2016.
He made headlines last year when he switched parties and was one of the deciding votes that prevented other Republicans from passing a law to change how the state awards electoral votes.
Now, he's trying to unseat a fellow Republican, Jean Stothert.
The campaign has been intense, with both trading sharp accusations about why the other shouldn't be mayor.
STOTHERT CAMPAIGN:
I’m Molly Hudson your Central Omaha neighborhood reporter in Midtown. Here, streetcar construction is under way and this project is one of the biggest campaign issues in the mayoral race. Mayor Jean Stothert has continued to push the project forward -- defending the multi-million dollar project saying it spurs development. Stothert met with her volunteers this afternoon at her headquarters in Regency, thanking them for their work. She's hopeful that she will advance to the general election and eventually win a historic fourth term as mayor.
"Tomorrow, Wednesday, is going to be like any other day, we are going to be up early and we are going to be out working, because we don't let up at all, and we are confident that we will get through the primary, we are confident that we are going to win this race," Stothert said. Her campaign is focused on key issues like city growth, public safety, jobs and the streetcar. There are multiple challengers in the race, but Stothert has focused a lot of her attention on Mike McDonnell. He is endorsed by the fire and police unions. Stothert has the endorsement of the police chief and fire chief. She has also secured support from some of the city's largest builders.
CITY COUNCIL:
NORTH OMAHA:
I'm Melissa Wright, your north Omaha neighborhood reporter here. Nine candidates, including current city council member Juanita Johnson are vying for the District two seat. Over the weeks, I’ve talked to neighbors about what they want to see from their next council member along with key issues. What I’ve heard often, are concerns about housing and jobs. Many are focused on home ownership while others see a need for more affordable housing. Renters are concerned about ongoing price hikes. Locals have also told me that they hope their next district two council member is active in the community and understands their needs.
CITY COUNCIL:
NORTH OMAHA:
I'm Melissa Wright, your north Omaha neighborhood reporter here. There are 9 people running for the city council seat that represents much of North Omaha. That's why we're here today—because no other district has this type of interest and candidate turnout.
In covering this race, what I've learned is that much of this attention and turnout is rooted in dissatisfaction with current council member Juanita Johnson. Candidates and voters tell me they want more effective representation, and I heard that this forum in March—one that Johnson did not attend. But this race is not just about Johnson. I've talked with voters across the district who have hard questions about housing, safety, and local jobs.
"More jobs equal more economic growth... equals more money in the community, and that's something we don't have," said Jessica Powell.
Included in this big field is former council member Ben Gray, running to get his seat back. I also want to add that nine candidates is the most running in this district, at least in the last 20 years.
EWING CAMPAIGN:
I’m Melissa Wright, your North Omaha neighborhood reporter. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Viv Ewing, a representative for John Ewing, regarding their expectations for tonight's results and the plans for the city.
According to Dr. Ewing, John Ewing is focused on creating decent and affordable housing for the community, increasing the number of high-paying jobs, attracting new businesses to Omaha, and boosting tourism to make the city the best in the Midwest.
Dr. Ewing says that John Ewing aims to enhance economic development in the city. When I asked about John’s specific plans for North Omaha, she pointed out that several communities, including North Omaha and South Omaha, have been neglected, along with ongoing issues related to homeless encampments in the area. One of John’s top priorities, as stated by Dr. Ewing, is ensuring that economic development is inclusive. She says that as the city grows and new structures are built, neighborhoods like North and South Omaha are often overlooked.
STOTHERT CAMPAIGN UPDATE (8:40 p.m.)
Molly Hudson here! Jean Stothert's communications director tells me she has been texting with the Mayor since the 8 p.m. results came out showing Stothert leading with over 16,000 votes. She says Stothert is excited and is at home watching the results with her family. She is expected to get to her headquarters at Regency shortly after 9 p.m. to speak with the media and her supporters.
MCDONNELL CAMPAIGN UPDATE (8:30 P.M.)
I'm Jill Lamkins talking to voters here at Mike McDonnell's election party where many are still optimistic despite McDonnell trailing to John Ewing by over 4,500 votes. The early voting results are in with Stothert in the lead, Ewing then McDonnell. Voters I spoke with say it's still early and many are remaining positive. Some of the key issues they are concerned about include the street car, our roads and how the city will move forward in dealing with the homeless population.
8:45 P.M. VOTE COUNT UPDATE
For Omaha Mayor
Vote For 1
TOTAL
John W. Ewing, Jr. 16,089
Jean Stothert 20,468
Terry Brewer 323
Mike McDonnell 10,954
Jasmine L. Harris 4,191
Write-In Totals 30
For Omaha City
Council District One
Vote For 1
TOTAL
Pete Festersen 5,600
Mark Brannen 2,541
Write-In Totals 44
For Omaha City Council District Two
Vote For 1
TOTAL
LaVonya Goodwin 632
Juanita Johnson 574
William King 210
Tyrone Eure 64
Ben Gray 1,252
Maurice Jones 523
Michael A. Lee, Jr. 332
Anthony K. Rogers-Wright 109
Cheryl Weston 207
Write-In Totals 20
For Omaha City Council District Three
Vote For 1
TOTAL
Danny Begley 4,500
Michael Pilypaitis 1,678
Write-In Totals 46
For Omaha City Council District Four
Vote For 1
TOTAL
Ron Hug 1,987
Andrew Adams 877
Gilbert Ayala 752
Jonathan Flaco Renteria 362
Write-In Totals 7
For Omaha City Council District Five
Vote For 1
TOTAL Don Rowe 6,094
Write-In Totals 239
For Omaha City Council District Six
Vote For 1
Brinker Harding 7,784
Write-In Totals 489
For Omaha City Council District Seven
Vote For 1
Aimee Melton 5,414
Tim Carter 3,152
Write-In Totals 25
10:25 P.M. VOTE UPDATE
The Douglas County Election Commission says this will be the final vote drop of the night.
**Omaha Mayor**
John W. Ewing, Jr. - 21,623
Jean Stothert - 25,056
Terry Brewer - 486
Mike McDonnell - 13,859
Jasmine L. Harris - 6,690
Write-In Totals - 46
**Omaha City Council District One**
Pete Festersen -7,176
Mark Brannen - 3,637
Write-In Totals -69
**Omaha City Council District Two**
LaVonya Goodwin - 919
Juanita Johnson - 872
William King - 428
Tyrone Eure - 96
Ben Gray - 1,597
Maurice Jones -850
Michael A. Lee, Jr. - 490
Anthony K. Rogers-Wright - 182
Cheryl Weston - 299
Write-In Totals - 33
**Omaha City Council District Three**
Danny Begley - 5,977
Michael Pilypaitis - 2,462
Write-In Totals - 77
**Omaha City Council District Four**
Ron Hug 2,534
Andrew Adams - 1,126
Gilbert Ayala - 1,098
Jonathan Flaco Renteria - 609
Write-In Totals - 10
**Omaha City Council District Five**
Don Rowe - 7,484
Write-In Totals - 339
**Omaha City Council District Six**
Brinker Harding - 9,752
Write-In Totals - 690
**Omaha City Council District Seven**
Aimee Melton - 6,767
Tim Carter - 4,067
Write-In Totals - 46
EWING CAMPAIGN:
I'm Melissa Wright in Downtown at the Omaha Press Club. The results are in, and current Mayor Jean Stothert and John Ewing will advance to the general elections.
Ewing tells me he focused his campaign on affordable housing and increasing high-paying jobs. These are both issues that residents in North Omaha have mentioned to him as important.
"I am a native of North Omaha, and all of the work that I do benefits the entire community but I have a special emphasis on north Omaha because that's where I grew up," said Ewing.
He emphasizes that affordable housing and high-paying jobs are key improvements needed in the area.
"We're going to be very creative and look at building partnerships... we'll figure out how to do that because I keep the promises I make," Ewing added.
Another key focus for Ewing is keeping young adults in Omaha. He believes this requires access to public transportation, affordable housing, and high-paying jobs. In Downtown Omaha, I'm Melissa Wright.
STOTHERT CAMPAIGN:
I'm Molly Hudson, Mayor Jean Stothert is waking up one election closer to a historic fourth term leading this city. She is headed to the general election after getting the most votes in Tuesday's primary.
Tuesday night she told me her campaign message is a positive one and says Tuesday's vote validates her time in office.
"Our campaign has been built around our record of progress, determination and of course the successes that we have had over the last twelve years and that's the positive message and that is the message we will continue to deliver over the next 6 weeks," Stothert said.
Stothert thanked voters, supporters and volunteers Tuesday and congratulated John Ewing on moving forward. Stothert says the work continues as the general election approaches.
MCDONNELL CAMPAIGN:
At the fire union hall on 60th and Grover, Mike McDonnell conceded late Tuesday night at his campaign headquarters.
It was the end of a campaign that McDonnell hoped would launch him into the city’s top executive job.
His campaign focused on the streetcar and dissatisfaction with it in West Omaha, but it was a message that was not enough to propel him to the general election.
“This is democracy. This is a process we go through. Our campaign was never about me, it was about we. It was about our city. That vision for the city will continue. But all of you did such a great job. I lost this election, you didn’t lose this election…”
McDonnell acknowledged the voter turnout on Tuesday, saying, “We could’ve got a few more of those today.”
As of Tuesday night, out of almost 295,000 registered voters in Omaha, 68,200 votes were cast in the primary election.
McDonnell says he’ll continue to work for the city of Omaha because this is his home.
