Focus for 2010

Now that the Omaha races are over the politics can turn to 2010. In Nebraska the 2010 races will not have a U.S. Senate race however all of the constitutional races will be on the ballot plus several legislative races are scheduled for 2010. In 2010 there are 24 legislative races two incumbents are term-limited from seeking re-election to the legislature. There are 13 republicans and nine democrats up for re-election. Many of these incumbents will not have challengers and some may not run for re-election. We will have more on the legislative races in the coming weeks and months.
Onto the constitutional officers of course at the very top is Gov.Heineman he is seeking his second full term as governor. The governors race is probably going to be a no contest my guess is that the democrats will find a Stormy Dean like candidate thanks for the sacrifice. The Attorney General's race in most states is usually where the minority party targets its efforts is to have the top cop in the state. However with the popularity of the current AG Jon Bruning and his proven track record plus his ability to raise money. It will be hard to see who will challenge Bruning its doubtful any democrat would give up their seat in the Unicam to take on Bruning which is where his challenger would most likely come from.
The State Auditor's race may be a race that the democrats are looking at but Mike Foley has a very good record of cutting out waist and he is a formidable candidate. The democrats may make a run at him but I don't see this seat changing either. So far Republicans 3 and democrats 0. State Treasurer Shane Osborn has not indicated what he is doing for 2010 with the Treasurer in a divorce that could leave an opening for democrats too shoot but as far as we can see with the State Treasurer's website and complete open door policy with the state money he would be hard to beat on the issues.
Now comes the one race that the democrats could really target. The Secretary of State race the office is held by three-termer John Gale. Since Gale ran un-opposed last time it is hard to believe that against a three term incumbent the democrats are going to find the answer.
So that 5-0 for the republicans over the democrats. The democrats don't have the bench to run in all of the races and not a only that most democrats don't believe they can win those races.