National Dems to put money into Esch (Ne.) effort

[Omaha Steve]

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Published Saturday September 13, 2008
National Dems to put money into Esch effort
BY ANDREW J. NELSON
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

U.S. House candidate Jim Esch is getting some high-powered financial help from congressional Democrats.

Congressional Republicans plan no such support for the Omaha-area incumbent, Rep. Lee Terry. They told him he doesn't need it.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has added Esch to its Red to Blue program, the Esch campaign announced Friday. That program helps Democratic candidates that the group believes can win a congressional seat, most in races against incumbent Republicans.

Esch lost an unexpectedly close race to Terry in 2006, coming within 10 percentage points. Terry has represented Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District - basically, Douglas County and much of northern and eastern Sarpy County - since 1999.

"This sort of attention will help us," Esch said Friday night. "There (are) no guarantees. A lot of this is on us to generate the excitement. But it certainly helps us a lot."

Terry said he would like financial assistance from the national Republican Party, but does not expect to get it.

The GOP disagrees with national Democrats that the 2nd District is a close race, the congressman said. Party officials are "astounded" that the contest has been targeted.

FULL story at link.