McCain To Endorse Osborne (Challenger) In NE GOP GOV Primary
Word from Nebraska this afternoon: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will endorse Rep. Tom Osborne's primary challenge to Gov. Dave Heineman (R).
The two plan to hold a joint telephonic news conference tomorrow morning. A draft of an Osborne press release announces that McCain "will endorse Congressman Osborne's campaign and will discuss the Congressman's leadership on issues such as veterans' affairs and campaign finance."
NE Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) has endorsed Heineman. The primary is May 9. Nebraska brackets Iowa from the West and shares several media markets.
According to the Lincoln Journal-Star, "McCain and Osborne have worked closely together on legislative efforts to ban gambling on college sports in Las Vegas and strengthen regulation of boxing."
Osborne, the supremely popular legendary former Nebraska football coach, was encouraged by Republicans to challenge an unpopular governor in Heineman.
The last-minute endorsement from McCain -- planned for more than a month -- will generate several days' worth of statewide media coverage.
In their final gubernatorial debate, Heineman and Obsorne sparred about the controversial plan to essentially resegregate Omaha schools. Heineman signed the plan into law, while Osborne, backed by the state teachers' union, opposed splitting the city's schools into three, largely monoracial districts -- largely because he said it was rushed and could cost the state millions more than anticipated. Osborne has spent time explaining his vote in favor of a House bill to felonize those who help illegal immigrants.
Polls suggest a very close race. Osborne's campaign is counting on last-minute primary registrations from conservative Democrats. One is Warren Buffett. That Warren Buffett. Osborne wants to audit state government. Buffett has promised to help.
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