The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission has released campaign donation records for Omaha’s mayoral race, revealing contributions made between New Year’s Day and the end of last month.
The funding details have sparked debate among candidates, with concerns raised about potential conflicts of interest.
Mayor Stothert Questions Union Donation to McDonnell
Incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert criticized a $50,000 donation to former state senator Mike McDonnell from the Firefighters for Better Government union, calling it a conflict of interest.
“The mayor is directly involved in labor negotiations with these unions. I have a principle that I will never accept money from them because I negotiate their contract,” Stothert said. “I think if a mayoral candidate does accept money, it’s unethical.”
McDonnell Pushes Back, Questions Stothert’s Developer Donations
McDonnell fired back, saying that donations to Stothert from developers should also be scrutinized.
“Looking at the streetcar project, looking at the people who are making donations to Mayor Stothert—why and how much? How much are they going to be able to make off of the streetcar? That’s something we’ve got to ask,” he said.
Other Candidates Weigh In
Candidate Jasmine Harris argued that big-money donors shouldn’t dominate the conversation.
“At the end of the day, it is a conflict of interest when we’re taking in all these donations from special interests and big-dollar donors. We want to ensure that the voices of everyday people who support my campaign are actually centered,” she said.
Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing defended the legality of campaign donations.
“The contributions in question are entirely legal and permissible under campaign finance regulations. It’s worth noting that the mayor has accepted similar or even larger contributions from developers who benefit from TIF funding, making her accusation hypocritical,” he said in a statement.
First Alert 6 is awaiting a response from candidate Dr. Terry Brewer.
Upcoming Mayoral Debates
Mayor Stothert is seeking a fourth term and faces challenges from:
- John W. Ewing Jr., Douglas County Treasurer
- Dr. Terry Brewer, community advocate
- Mike McDonnell, former Omaha fire chief and state senator
- Jasmine Harris, community advocate
First Alert 6 and the Omaha Press Club will host a primary debate on March 11 at noon, ahead of the Omaha Primary Election on April 1. A second debate between the top two candidates will take place before the May 13 General Election.
For more election coverage, visit Nebraska News.
