Nabity jumps into governor's race
With a pledge to cut taxes and spur economic growth, Omaha businessman Dave Nabity embarked Monday on an uphill quest for the governorship.
Nabity quickly won the endorsement of former Gov. Kay Orr as he launched a campaign that pits him against Gov. Dave Heineman and Rep. Tom Osborne, two Republican heavyweights.
"I believe Nebraskans want new and fresh approaches to managing Nebraska's future," Nabity said at a campaign kickoff event in front of the Lincoln statue on the west side of the State Capitol.
"They want someone who is not from inside government," Nabity said. "They want someone from the private sector that is focused on results, not rhetoric."
Nabity framed the 2006 Republican primary contest as a choice between "an aggressive, reform-minded" challenger and status-quo, reactive leadership.
"I am the one," he said, "who is pushing lower taxes."
In an indirect jab at Osborne, the three-term 3rd District congressman and former Nebraska football coach, Nabity said it is critical that Nebraskans elect a governor who is prepared to serve two terms.
It probably would take eight years to achieve, implement and secure the kind of essential changes needed to modernize state government, make the state competitive and energize economic growth, he said.
In announcing his candidacy at the end of April, Osborne said he would be inclined to serve a single four-year term.
Heineman, who inherited the governorship last January when Mike Johanns resigned to become U.S. secretary of agriculture, will seek election next year with the endorsement of Sen. Chuck Hagel.
Orr, who served as governor from 1987 to 1991, appeared with Nabity at the Lincoln event, praising him as a man with business experience, energy and enthusiasm who has brainstormed strategies to improve Nebraska's economic climate.
While Nabity stressed the need for increased university research, development of the Interstate 80 corridor between Omaha and Lincoln, strengthening ag-related enterprises and tourism promotion, tax reduction was at the top of his list.
"If we want to unleash the economic power of Nebraskans, lowering taxes is essential if we want our economy to grow," he declared.
"You can't tax our citizens into prosperity and that is exactly what state government is doing almost every year, with no end in sight."
The budget approved in the fading days of the 2005 Legislature "shackled all of us" with a 14 percent increase in state spending two years from now, Nabity said.
As governor, he said, he would send business analysts and auditors into the State Capitol to modernize government, reduce regulation and cut costs.
Tax reduction would be accompanied by tax restructuring, Nabity said.
"We need to make sure that our tax environment and incentives are competitive," he said. And taxes must also be competitive in terms of keeping older Nebraskans in the state during their retirement years, he said.
Proposing creation of a new recreation economy, Nabity said Nebraska should strive to "replace South Dakota as the hunting capital of the nation" and transform the storied Sandhills into a vacation mecca.
Nabity also placed a family values stamp on his candidacy, calling for protection of the rights of the unborn and the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman. His Lincoln event ended with a public prayer.
Recognizing the challenge facing him in the Republican primary election, Nabity said: "I want a shot at being the chief executive. It's not an option to sit it out regardless of who's in the race."
Nabity's Lincoln appearance was the second stop on a 10-city statewide tour which he said marks the beginning of a full-time campaign.
With three candidates already in the Republican race, Democrats have not yet fielded a candidate.
Still on a declining list of prospects are state Sens. Chris Beutler of Lincoln, Matt Connealy of Decatur and Pat Bourne of Omaha along with Stormy Dean of Ralston, the 2002 nominee.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
Dave Nabity
Age: 46
From: Omaha
Occupation: Owns Nabity Financial Group, a financial services business
Family: Wife, Kim, and 7 children
Hobbies: Great Plains Porsche Club; drummer in two jazz bands
Nabity quickly won the endorsement of former Gov. Kay Orr as he launched a campaign that pits him against Gov. Dave Heineman and Rep. Tom Osborne, two Republican heavyweights.
"I believe Nebraskans want new and fresh approaches to managing Nebraska's future," Nabity said at a campaign kickoff event in front of the Lincoln statue on the west side of the State Capitol.
"They want someone who is not from inside government," Nabity said. "They want someone from the private sector that is focused on results, not rhetoric."
Nabity framed the 2006 Republican primary contest as a choice between "an aggressive, reform-minded" challenger and status-quo, reactive leadership.
"I am the one," he said, "who is pushing lower taxes."
In an indirect jab at Osborne, the three-term 3rd District congressman and former Nebraska football coach, Nabity said it is critical that Nebraskans elect a governor who is prepared to serve two terms.
It probably would take eight years to achieve, implement and secure the kind of essential changes needed to modernize state government, make the state competitive and energize economic growth, he said.
In announcing his candidacy at the end of April, Osborne said he would be inclined to serve a single four-year term.
Heineman, who inherited the governorship last January when Mike Johanns resigned to become U.S. secretary of agriculture, will seek election next year with the endorsement of Sen. Chuck Hagel.
Orr, who served as governor from 1987 to 1991, appeared with Nabity at the Lincoln event, praising him as a man with business experience, energy and enthusiasm who has brainstormed strategies to improve Nebraska's economic climate.
While Nabity stressed the need for increased university research, development of the Interstate 80 corridor between Omaha and Lincoln, strengthening ag-related enterprises and tourism promotion, tax reduction was at the top of his list.
"If we want to unleash the economic power of Nebraskans, lowering taxes is essential if we want our economy to grow," he declared.
"You can't tax our citizens into prosperity and that is exactly what state government is doing almost every year, with no end in sight."
The budget approved in the fading days of the 2005 Legislature "shackled all of us" with a 14 percent increase in state spending two years from now, Nabity said.
As governor, he said, he would send business analysts and auditors into the State Capitol to modernize government, reduce regulation and cut costs.
Tax reduction would be accompanied by tax restructuring, Nabity said.
"We need to make sure that our tax environment and incentives are competitive," he said. And taxes must also be competitive in terms of keeping older Nebraskans in the state during their retirement years, he said.
Proposing creation of a new recreation economy, Nabity said Nebraska should strive to "replace South Dakota as the hunting capital of the nation" and transform the storied Sandhills into a vacation mecca.
Nabity also placed a family values stamp on his candidacy, calling for protection of the rights of the unborn and the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman. His Lincoln event ended with a public prayer.
Recognizing the challenge facing him in the Republican primary election, Nabity said: "I want a shot at being the chief executive. It's not an option to sit it out regardless of who's in the race."
Nabity's Lincoln appearance was the second stop on a 10-city statewide tour which he said marks the beginning of a full-time campaign.
With three candidates already in the Republican race, Democrats have not yet fielded a candidate.
Still on a declining list of prospects are state Sens. Chris Beutler of Lincoln, Matt Connealy of Decatur and Pat Bourne of Omaha along with Stormy Dean of Ralston, the 2002 nominee.
Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.
Dave Nabity
Age: 46
From: Omaha
Occupation: Owns Nabity Financial Group, a financial services business
Family: Wife, Kim, and 7 children
Hobbies: Great Plains Porsche Club; drummer in two jazz bands
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