http://www.omaha.com/article/20120202/NEWS01/702039995#ashford-run-for-mayor-possibleAshford: Run for mayor possible
LINCOLN — The dean of the State Legislature, State Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha, confirmed Thursday what many had speculated — that he's taking a close look at running for mayor of Omaha.
Ashford, a 62-year-old lawyer who recently changed his political registration to independent, said he had considered seeking the office three years ago but deferred to a friend, Hal Daub, who was defeated by Jim Suttle for the major's office.
Because of term limits, Ashford's latest stint in the Legislature will end in 2014. Omaha's city elections are next year.
"The mayor's job is an opportunity to continue to serve," he said, as well as focus on Omaha issues.
Ashford's legislative career has focused frequently on city issues. He was behind the law that helped finance the Qwest Center (now CenturyLink Center) and a proposal this year to allow Omaha and other cities to increase local sales taxes by half-cent, with voter approval, to address budget problems.
He said he would not decide whether he's a candidate until May, after the legislative session ends. His comments Thursday put him in the position of pushing some of Suttle's top priorities in the Legislature at the same time he is pondering a run against him.
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I sure hope he gives up his seat in the Unicameral... and looses. But, with the changing demographics in Obamaha, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he would win.
