Reports: Kerrey changes mind, will run for Senate
February 27th, 2012
Omaha, NE – The Washington Post is now reporting that Nebraska’s former Democratic Senator Bob Kerrey has changed his mind and will make a run for U.S. Senate.

Former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, served as Nebraska's representative from 1989 to 2001. He also served as Governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987. (Photo courtesy Wikimedia)
The Washington Post first reported a top aide to Kerrey called Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to announce Kerrey’s change of plans. If the reports are true, Kerrey would seek seek to replace current Democratic Senator Ben Nelson, who announced his resignation last December.
Paul Johnson, a spokesperson for Kerrey, told Nebraska Watchdog today Kerrey is still reconsidering the decision and may make an announcement as soon as tomorrow. He initially announced he would not run earlier this month, citing family considerations.
Kerrey has been seen as the Democrats’ best hope for retaining the Senate seat in November’s election. However, Kerrey would be facing staunch criticism from opponents who have pegged him as a “carpetbagger†after retiring from the Senate in 2001 and moving to New York.
Currently, the only other Democrat that’s vied for the senate seat is University of Nebraska Regent Chuck Hassebrook, who purposely missed the deadline to re-run for his Board of Regents seat in order to focus on his senatorial campaign.
Hassebrook released a statement earlier today that said he did not believe Kerrey is planning the move saying Kerrey just told him a few days ago he would help with his campaign. He also added “Bob Kerrey is a man of integrity. I gave up my seat on the University of Nebraska, Board of Regents based on his word. I do not believe he would go back on it.â€
If Kerrey did reverse his earlier decision not to run, he’d face also slew of Republican candidates including current Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, State Senator Deb Fisher, Financial Advisor Pat Flynn and State Treasurer Don Stenberg.
The deadline to file for candidacy in Nebraska is this Thursday at 5pm.
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