Johanns May Run For Senate: Nebraska Governor

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman said he expects USDA Secretary Mike Johanns to run for the Senate seat that will be vacated by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), who announced on Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in 2008.

Heineman made the comment while speaking to reporters by telephone from Taiwan, a stop on his 11-day trip through Asia to promote trade opportunities for the state, Ashley Cradduck, spokeswoman for the governor, told Meatingplace.com.

"The Secretary will not be making any comment about his future, nor will he speculate about what he will do after his service to the President," USDA Press Secretary Keith Williams told Meatingplace.com.

Short biography makes him look like a good guy and pro-lifer.

28th United States Secretary of Agriculture
Mike Johanns

Incumbent
Assumed office January 21, 2005
President	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Ann Veneman
41st Governor of Nebraska
In office 1999 – 2005
Preceded by	Ben Nelson
Succeeded by	Dave Heineman

Born	June 18, 1950 (1950-06-18) (age 57) Osage, Iowa
Political party	Republican
Religion	Roman Catholic

Republican Jon Bruning was the first to come out against Hagel .. and he made his challenge long before Hagel even considered resigning. He spoke out very strongly against Hagels positions on immigration and the war ..which were not in line with conservative positions. Bruning is pro life and conservative pretty much right down the line. At this point he is probably the front-runner.

Republican former Gov. Mike Johanns, now the U.S. agriculture secretary .. if he decides to run .. I think he could definitely win the Republican primary. But the *if*, in *if* he runs .. is pretty *ify*.

Republican Hal Daub is interested and may decide to run. He has served in the house and has been Mayor of Omaha.

Republican Columbus, NE businessman Tony Raimondo wants to run. His advantage is that he is a very good friend of Dem. Ben Nelson who might even endorse him. This means he could cross party lines and get both GOP and Dem votes. Democrat Bob Kerrey is being persued and may just decide to come back and run for office again. If he does .. we (Republicans) will be in big trouble. Kerrey is really popular in Nebraska and I think he would win if he ran. Democrat Scott Kleeb, who lost a race to Republican Adrian Smith in the 3rd Congressional District last year. He ran well, way out in western Nebraska which is strongly republican. Someone sabotaged him by making phone calls, in the middle of the night to people, "Hi, I'm Scott Kleeb, etc" and really misrepresented his views. Democrat current Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey is leftist right down the line .. very anti gun.

Bob Kerry??? The guy has been living in NYC for six years, is fully tainted by the Hsu scandal, and has a very liberal record on many issues. Which is not to say that if he runs we will not have a fight on our hands, but if Brunning or Johanns gets the nomination, I can’t see how either won’t be able to beat Kerry, especially with the increase of Republicans in the state since Kerry left.

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