By Katie Knapp
Omaha, NE – A Political Scientist says Mayor-elect Jim Suttle's victory Tuesday night shows political demographics are changing in Omaha.
Suttle, a Democrat, defeated Republican Hal Daub by 1,436 votes. Suttle's victory follows a successful November election for Democrats that resulted in a split in Nebraska's electoral votes.
Randy Adkins is Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Adkins says Omaha has a growing base of both Democrats and Independents. He says Suttle capitalized on those voters to win Tuesday's election. Adkins says the shift to a more Democratic Omaha has happened over the past five to eight years.
But Nebraska Republican Party Chairman Mark Fahleson says Mayor-elect Suttle's victory won't change the GOP strategy. He says Omaha, Douglas and Sarpy Counties have a strong base of so-called "common-sense conservatives" who believe in Republican principles.
Mayor-elect Suttle and Omaha's four new City Councilmen take office June 8.