CHICAGO - In the midst of implementing an economic development plan that has been a cornerstone of his administration, Omaha's two-term Republican mayor is fighting a tough battle to retain his seat.
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Hal Daub, a veteran politician and businessman, is opposed by Democrat Mike Fahey in today's mayoral election. Fahey has campaigned on a platform of change, but has said he would continue to support ongoing economic development in the triple-A-rated city.
In the latest Midwest survey and research poll, reported by the Omaha World-Herald May 8, Daub was favored over Fahey, 47%-43%. The four-point difference is within the statistical margin of error, so the race is essentially a dead heat.
Daub, 59, has touted improvement of the city's tax base and has pointed to his opponent's lack of experience. He served four terms as U.S. representative between 1981 and 1989 before being elected as mayor in 1994 and then again in 1997.
Fahey, 57, served on the Omaha City Planning Board from 1981 to 1991 and is the founder of American Land Title Co. He is president of the Preferred Land Title Co.
Even Fahey has given credit to Daub's achievement in the city's development plans for new construction downtown.
Most of the agreements in the city's plan for redevelopment are already in place, said Ken Bunger, an attorney with the city. Fahey has said publicly that he will continue to work toward economic development. City officials do not expect that a change in administration would change ongoing projects, he said.
With about 63% of the vote in 1999, city voters approved a referendum that allowed the city to sell $198 million in bonds to help with the construction of a new convention center-sports arena. The total project is estimated to cost about $291 million.
Construction has begun on the center and the city hopes in July to name the developer of an anchor hotel, Bunger said. Other projects already in place include a development agreement with the Gallup Organization to build its corporate headquarters downtown. The city recently gave its approval to a plan for Union Pacific Railroad Co. to build a new corporate headquarters downtown. The city hopes for final approval late this year from Union Pacific's board of directors, Bunger said. The building would replace the company's existing headquarters in Omaha.
That plan was key in the state legislature's approval last month of a bill that gives tax incentives to companies that create new jobs in the state.
