OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A tea party activist in Omaha has announced he will make a bid for Nebraska's 2nd District congressional seat in November, casting doubt on what had been viewed as the likely re-election of Republican incumbent Rep. Lee Terry.
Former state Sen. Chip Maxwell, of Omaha, said Wednesday he plans to gather about 2,000 signatures from registered voters in the 2nd District by Sept. 1 to get his name on the November ballot. Maxwell changed his voter registration from Republican to independent last fall, setting up the process for him to petition to be on the general election ballot.
He acknowledges that his appearance on the ballot could split the conservative vote, allowing Democrat Brad Ashford to win, but says he thinks many of the district's Democrats will vote for him.
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