KMTV is reporting that that former Omaha Mayor and three time electoral loser Hal Daub is going to enter the Senate race on Tuesday, announcing the formation of an exploratory committee to run in case Chuck Hagel decides against seeking reelection.
Daub, then a Congressman from Nebraska’s 2nd District, unsuccessfully challenged David Karnes for the Republican nomination for Senate in 1988 (Karnes eventually lost the general election to Bob Kerrey). In 1990, he unsuccessfully challenged Jim Exon for his Senate seat. After a couple of years out of the political spotlight, Daub jumped back in when P.J. Morgan decided that being mayor of Omaha was too hard, and resigned. After beating Brenda Council in the special runoff election, Daub became mayor of Omaha, and in 1997, narrowly defeated Council again.
Over the next four years, Daub tried to take absolute control of the city’s operations, with a “my way or the highway” approach that didn’t sit well with voters. Constant feuds with the City Council and toxic personality clashes throughout city hall led to a contentious election in 2001. Mike Fahey was elected mayor of Omaha largely on the strength of his message, and Omaha was just plain sick of Hal Daub.
Daub is currently National Committeeman for the Nebraska Republican Party. But while Republican insiders may not yet be sick of him, the state of Nebraska and the city of Omaha have rejected him and his style of politics on numerous occasions. Hal Daub seems to be more than willing to give Nebraska another opportunity to reject him.
UPDATE: At some point in the near future, I’ll start digging through the news archives for some “Greatest Hits” from Hal Daub (and anyone else you want me to pick on, too). So stay tuned for that.