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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 2000)
Terry wins House by wide margin BY UNDSEY BAKER Incumbent Republican Lee Terry will return to the U.S. House of Representatives after defeating Democrat challenger Shelley Kiel. “(The race) was better than I expected,” Terry said after the polls closed. “We truly didn’t expect the numbers to be so high. I’m just so appreciative and so honored by the overwhelming support” As of midnight, with 41 per cent of the precincts reporting in the 2nd District race, Terry had 68 percent over Kiel’s 29 percent. Tferry said the high margin of sup port spoke highly of Nebraskans’ opinions of himself and his polit ical performance. “I care so deeply about the people of this district, from grandparents to children,” Terry said. MI work so hard on issues. 1 think people understand and respect that” Terry said, in spite of Kiel’s claims on running a positive campaign, the race was anything but. He did say, though, that his personal campaign was low on negativity. “It's been personal attacks for the last 18 months,” Terry said. “We’ve had our message, and we haven’t let (Kiel) distract us by calling names,” he said. Terry said candidates can freely air their dif ferences, but a negative spin “hurts the electoral process.” “We focused on our issues and tried to ignore (Kiel),” he said. Terry's mission will remain 7 care so deeply about the people of this district, from grandparents to children. I work so hard on issues. I think people understand and respect that." Lee Terry 2nd District congressman the same as it has been for his first two years representing the 2nd District, which includes the Omaha metropolitan area: bring ing education under local control and reforming and strengthening Medicare. "The same issues I ran on two years ago are unfortunately still out there,” he said. "We need to focus on making sure that we set policies today that will ensure that (Medicare) is there in 2040.” Terry said that although he hadn’t seen specific numbers as oflhesday night, he felt that voter turnout was strong. He said he spent a lot of time visiting high schools to encourage young peo ple to vote. “Democracy can’t survive if people are apathetic,” he said. Kiel shifts focus to community service ■The Democrat says she wants to be remembered for her clean campaign. BY LINDSEY BAKER After losing the 2nd Congressional District race for die U.S. House seat to incumbent Republican Lee Terry, Democrat Shelley Kiel said she will most like ly settle down into some commu nity work. “We’re doing fine,” Kiel said after the polls closed Tuesday night. “We knew the numbers probably wouldn’t be great,” she said adding that election night was the “culmination of working with a lot of great people.” Win or lose, we’re having a good time talking to people,” she said As of midnight, with 41 per cent of the precincts reporting, Kiel lost with 29 percent of the votes to Terry’s 68 percent.Kiel stressed her campaign was low on negativity, and she wanted Nebraska citizens to remember her clean campaign and the issues she focused on. "I think first and foremost (voters should remember) this campaign is a campaign that took the high road,” Kiel said She said that unlike other campaigns run against incum bents, hers was positive, with little mnrislinging She also reinforced her beliefs that education should be priori tized, families should be ensured health care, gun violence should be reduced, and prescription ‘The turnout was great. That’s something that’s been very important to me. Voting is something that people ought to take seriously.” Shelley Kiel lost to incumbent Lee Terry drug plans should be studied. Kiel said she and her staff will now take a breather from cam-x paigning. “I think we will take a little time off,” she said. Now that she won't be a con gresswoman, Kiel said she will look into community-service areas, specifically those involving neighborhood work opportuni ties and community develop ment “There are lots of different possibilities," she said. Kiel was pleased with the voter turnout - not only in Nebraska, but nationwide. “The turnout was great That’s something that's been very impor tant to me," Kiel said. “Voting is something that people ought to take seriously. (The high turnout) shows that people are reconnect ing to the political process, and we need to do that” Reynolds: Osborne worked hard for win w ■ Although overshadowed by the ex-football coach, Reynolds insists campaign was worth it. BY GEORGE GREEN Democrat Rollie Reynolds chose to stay at home with a few friends Itiesday night as other candidates celebrated their work at banquet halls with bottles of champagne. Reynolds’ choice of election parties mirrors his entire cam paign for the 3rd District Congressional seat, which has been overshadowed by his big name opponent, ex-Husker foot ball coach, Tom Osborne. In fact, Reynolds’ defeat has been assured for weeks. Polls taken before the elec tion erased any doubt Osborne would walk away from the cam paign with the 3rd District’s seat Nevertheless, Reynolds said he is satisfied with the campaign. “I was very pleased to be die Democratic nominee,” he said. Reynolds lost the race with 16 percent to Osborne’s 84 percent In addition, Reynolds said he was glad the campaign avoided the political mudslinging, which has become commonplace in politics today. But he said people should not assume the competition wasn’t competitive. Osborne was not simply handed the victory, he said. “Tom worked hard for the win,” Reynolds said. Furthermore, Reynolds said he has improved the lives of many Nebraskans by participat ing in the election. “Osborne now realizes the importance of controlling crop supplies because of my part in the campaign,” Reynolds said. “Tom has adopted some of my agricultural views.” Reynolds said regardless of who won or lost, he has enjoyed talking with Nebraskans during his campaign. “It’s been nice,” he said. Now that the game is over, Reynolds said he plans to write a book. His story definitely will not concern his political battles, he said. Instead, Reynolds said the book will be about some war heroes he is interested in. “Osborne now realizes the importance of controlling crop supplies because of my part in the campaign Rollie Reynolds lost to Tom Osborne While he writes, Reynolds said Nebraskans will be in good hands with its new representa tive. He praised Osborne, saying he was a good opponent and is a good person, too. “Tom will make a great con gressman,” he said. Ferlic unseats Skrupa for Regents position ■Newcomer says he will work for more stability within the board and NU system. BY VERONICA DAEHN After spending close to $300,000 on his campaign, Randy Feriic ousted 12-year incumbent Rosemary Skrupa from her 8th district regent seatlliesday night. Skrupa’s total spending was unknown, but she did use dose to $30,000 of die state money given to her. Candidates are awarded state funds when their opponent spends more than 40 percent of the $25,000 voluntary spending limit As of 2 ajn. with 75 percent of die precincts reporting, Feriic had 60 percent of the vote to Skrupa’s 40 percent Shortly after results were in, Feriic said he was pleased with his victory. "The people understood my message and the importance of the Board of Regents,” Feiiic said. University of Nebraska Regent Rosemary Skrupa did not return multiple phone calls to the Daily Nebraskan on Tuesday. It’s important for a regent to value a governing body that's responsive and active, Feiiic said. And one should not view the posi tion simply as an honor "It's a huge responsibility,” Ferlic said. “Regents serve a con stituency six times larger than a state senator’s.” Nebraska has 49 state sena tors. The Board of Regents has eight members. Both serve the entire state. Ferlic said he was looking for ward to working with the other regents. He said he wanted to create more stability within the board and die university but said he did n't have a hidden agenda. He is ready for the position, he said. “I am extremely qualified,” Ferlic said He is a 10-year member of the Postsecondary Education Commission and of the Midwest Higher Education Committee. Ferlic said he would resign from the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education in January when he took over his regent post He also was an associate pro fessor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center for 30 years. “I'm very conversed with the issues,” he said. “I understand education because I’ve been involved with it all my adult life.” But Ferlic admits he doesn’t have all the answers. In September, Ferlic was wor ried about getting his name out to voters. Tuesday night he said that had been difficult but important “It’s a huge responsibility. Regents serve a constituency six times larger than a state senator’s." Randy Ferlic beat incumbent regent Ferlic said voters didn’t start paying attention to the regent race until die past couple of weeks. But once they did, they realized the Board of Regents was important, and they found out about the can didates, he said. Though the election process was stressful, Ferlic said it was worthwhile. “It’s an experience people ought to go through,” he said. “You learn a lot about people." Jacobsen: Voters made right choice ■ After unsuccessful runs for governor and state Legislature, Jacobsen mulls political future. BY GWEN TTETQEN No candidate has finished close to Congressman Doug Bereuter in 10 years, and Democratic candidate Alan Jacobsen was no exception Tuesday night. Jacobsen talked with his friends and family late Tuesday evening at Lincoln’s Airport Inn and he accepted the obvious upon hearing that Bereuter would again head to Washington. Jacobsen lost with just 33 percent of the votes. As of mid night, with 59 percent of the precincts reporting, Bereuter had 65 percent Jacobsen, the Democratic candidate in the 1st Congressional District, said win or lose, the voters have made the right decision. “The people had a choice as to what direction they wanted the state to go, and tonight they have decided international rela tions are more important to them than agriculture,” Jacobsen said. “Tomorrow, I’ll go back to work and start making money, instead of spending it” Jacobsen said he had no def inite plans as far as his political career was concerned. “I’m just glad to be a part of the political process that helps make America the greatest country in the world,” he said. Being raised in a multiracial family near McCool Junction, Jacobsen has an extensive list of contributions to the state. Jacobsen served as chaplain of Boys Town for two years and started three businesses, includ ing A-J Roofing and Waterproofing Company of Lincoln, with his wife, Lori. The company, which started in the basement of the Jacobsen home, recently completed two The people had a choice as to what direction they wanted the state to go, and tonight they have decided international relations are more important to them than agriculture” Alan Jacobsen lost to incumbent Rep. Bereuter well-known projects, including the skyboxes above Memorial Stadium and the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument in Kearney. Jacobsen, the father of three sons and a 1978 graduate from the University of Nebraska Lincoln, ran for the 1st District Congressional seat in hopes of getting on the House of Agriculture Committee so he could assist in rewriting the 1996 Freedom to Farm Act, which he said hurt Nebraska farmers. Jacobsen is no stranger to the political scene and said this campaign was his first to go onto the general election. He ran unsuccessfully for the state Legislature in 1990 and sought the Republican nomina tion for governor in 1994. In 1997, Jacobsen switched parties because of his distaste for the negative campaigning that he said the GOP advocated. One die-hard Democrat - UNL emeritus Psychology Professor Jim Cole - said Bereuter has the ability to reach Nebraska Democrats and Independents, unlike other Republicans, and this gives him the edge. “He’s not as conservative as some Nebraska Republicans, and that's why he gets such a big vote,” Cole said. “The big prob lem with Bereuter is what he stands for on a national scale, and that he supports Bush.” Incumbent Miller takes tight contest ■The win ends months of mudslinging between the regent and his opponent BYJILLZEMAN A race for a spot on the NU Boards of Regents went down to the wire Tuesday and tipped toward Drew Miller ofPapillion. Miller claimed 51 percent against John Breslow of Lincoln, who took 49 percent with 81 per cent of precincts reporting. Miller, the incumbent for the 4th District seat, fought a close, tight race, filled with negative campaigning, complaints and mudslinging. Neither Miller nor Breslow could be reached for comment after the race was called this morning. Support for Breslow has slipped since May’s primary elec tion, when Breslow scored more than twice as many votes as Miller. Controversy swirled around the race, as Miller has been a strong defender of aborted fetal tissue research conducted at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Miller continu ally stated his support of the research, by speaking publicly and lobbying against a legislative bill that would have banned the research. And Miller’s tendency to be outspoken on the topic has drawn fire from his opponent as well as several anti-abortion rights activists. Breslow’s strong opposition of the research, coupled with Miller's adamant support, has made the topic a crucial point in this year's election. And the candidates’ differing views have caused them to butt heads several times throughout the campaign. * During the race, Miller filed two complaints against Breslow, claiming he was behind informa tion that referred to Miller as a “pro-abortion Nazi.” Miller complained about information handed out at the Otoe County Fair, to which Breslow denied any connection. The pamphlets did not list who had paid for them. In other regents races: ■ Jay Matzke, of Seward, defeated Robert Prokop, ofWilber, m the 5th district Matzke and Prokop competed for the spot that will be vacated in January by Hastings Regent Robert Allen. ■ Regent Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons defended his position on the board by defeating Jeff Johnson of Blair for the 3rd District slot The late Gov. Carnahan becomes first dead man elected to Senate THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ,ST. LOUIS — Missourians elected a dead man to the Senate on Tuesday, choosing Gov. Mel Carnahan - who died three weeks ago in a plane crash - over Republican incumbent John Ashcroft Carnahan’s widow had agreed to take her husband’s place. With 84 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday, Carnahan had 1,075,872 votes, or 50 percent. Ashcroft, a Republican, had 1,039,409, or 49 percent The plane crash that killed Carnahan, his son and an aide Oct. 16 turned the nationally > .*• watched contest against Republican Sen. John Ashcroft from notoriously bitter to decid edly bizarre. Carnahan died too late to revise the ballot. No one had ever posthumously won election to the Senate, though voters on at least three occasions sent deceased candidates to the House. Gov. Roger Wilson, who took office after Carnahan’s death, said he would appoint Carnahan’s 66-year-old widow, Jean, to a two-year term should Ashcroft lose. Mrs. Carnahan became the implicit challenger when she declared herself strong enough to accept appointment. * , Some Republicans had threatened a court challenge if that happened. Early today, as her husband pulled ahead, she addressed hundreds of St. Louis-area sup porters by phone from her home inRolla. "You have stayed the course; you have kept the faith; you have carried our hopes and dreams,” she said. “Lincoln never saw his nation made whole again. Susan B. Anthony never cast a vote. Martin Luther King never fin ished his mountaintop journey. My husband's journey was cut short, too. And for reasons we don't understand, the mantle has now fallen upon us,” she said. Ashcroft, 58, resumed his campaign eight days after the crash, airing his own new TV ad featuring former Sen. John Danforth, a mentor, telling Missourians, “What's happening today to John Ashcroft is just not right.” Meanwhile, the late gover nor’s campaign spent $700,000 to broadcast Mrs. Carnahan making a direct appeal to voters to keep her husband’s vision alive. She answered a dozen ques tions in writing from The Associated Press, describing views in favor of abortion rights, gun control and other issues, all reflecting stands by her husband in direct opposition to Ashcroft’s. In St. Louis on Tuesday, long lines of voters led a state judge, at Democrats’ request, to order the city to keep its polls open until 10 p.m., three extra hours. A shortage of booths, ballots, judges and equipment had vexed the city throughout the day. But the Board of Election Commissioners appealed swift ly, and a three-judge panel of the Missouri Court of Appeals ordered the polls closed imme diately — after they had been open nearly an extra hour. * Both popular vote-getters elected twice as Missouri gover nor, Carnahan and Ashcroft were politically like night and day. Ashcroft, a favorite of reli gious conservatives when he mulled a White House bid, signed restrictive abortion laws as governor that later were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Carnahan, who served one term as Ashcroft’s lieutenant governor and succeeded Ashcroft, vetoed further abor tion restrictions, as well as con » cealed-weapons legislation. Analysts have remarked on the rancor between the two, but both denied it repeatedly.