OWH: Terry, White exchange blows

Robynn Tysver, Omaha World-Herald
May 12, 2010

Any doubts the Omaha-based congressional race would prove the state's hottest this fall evaporated with Tuesday's primary.

Democrat Tom White and Republican incumbent Lee Terry wasted little time savoring primary victories before exchanging a volley of blows and counterblows.

White called Terry “ineffective,” and Terry called White's comments “asinine.”

Terry, seeking a seventh term, could be facing his toughest challenger in White, an aggressive attorney who has served three years in the Nebraska Legislature and can raise money.

The primary also appeared to show Terry has some mending to do in his own party, and that, at least in his district, there may be an anti-incumbent mood afoot.

Matt Sakalosky, a little known candidate who raised very little money, managed to garner a third of the vote against the better-funded Terry.

The state's other two Republican congressmen, U.S. Reps. Jeff Fortenberry of Lincoln and Adrian Smith of Gering, easily advanced to the fall.

Smith will face Democratic newcomer Rebekah Davis of Alliance, while Fortenberry's challenger remained up in the air late Tuesday.

In the Omaha-area race, Sakalosky was a tea party supporter with little money for advertising, while Terry's campaign sent out about four direct-mail pieces to likely voters.

Sakalosky's strong finish appeared to echo what is happening nationally, as several Republican and Democratic incumbents face tough primary challenges this spring. Most notably, Republican Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah last week lost his party's nomination.

“I think it suggests there may be a weak link in Terry's armor. The question is whether there is something the Democrats can do to take advantage of it,” said Randy Adkins, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Adkins predicted that few of the Republicans who voted for Sakalosky would cross party lines in the fall to vote for White. But they may stay home. And that poses a problem for Terry, who will have to motivate the Republican base, Adkins said.

Terry may be helped by Sakalosky, who said Tuesday that he plans to endorse and work for Terry's re-election.

White and Terry made clear Tuesday that the game this fall is hardball.

White quickly took Terry to task, calling him “ineffective” in Congress. He said Terry should be held accountable for Offutt Air Force Base in Sarpy County losing its chance last year to be the home of a new nuclear warfare command.

“That's really an indictment of his effectiveness in Washington,” said White.

Terry questioned how White could put the blame solely on his shoulders. He said he worked with a group of Nebraska leaders, including Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson and Republican Gov. Dave Heineman, to fight for the command.
“It's asinine for him to single me out,” said Terry. “If he wants to criticize, he needs to criticize all of us.”

Both men agree the general election will be a fight. And both have been amassing war chests. As of March 31, White had $460,000 in the bank and Terry about $633,000. In addition, both candidates expect the national parties to get involved.

Terry said he believes the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee could spend up to $1 million in television advertisements in the district.

“It's going to be scorched earth,” Terry said.

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