OMAHA- Mayor Jean Stothert began her bid for a third term Wednesday while emphasizing her work with the Omaha Police Department, public safety, redevelopment and the city street improvement projects.

Three democrats have expressed interest in challenging Stothert, a 66 year-old Republican, although the race is technically nonpartisan. Sthothert stated that she wants to see through the revitalization project of the downtown area and securing the futures of the Civic Auditorium and Crossroads Mall, the initiatives she began. The Nebraska Democratic Party chair, Jane Kleeb, said "Omaha deserves better".

Unofficially, these candidates may run against Stothert:

Jasmine Harris, 40, is a director of public policy at an Omaha nonprofit. She wants to see a more aggressive approach when it comes to COVID-19 and a new community-oriented policing model. “We need to look at all of the development we have going up all over the place,” she said. “Are there enough apartments for people on the lower end, not just pricing people out of the communities that they are from?”

R.J. Neary, 67, is a commercial real estate broker. He declined to criticize the mayor, but noted that Lincoln now has a two-term limit for their mayor. “We need unity and equity in the city, and I don’t see that happening,” he said.

Dawaune Lamont Hayes, 26, is the founder of an online community called NOISE. “No matter who’s mayor, it’s our responsibility as the citizens of Omaha to make our community a better place to live,” he said.

Mark Gudgel, 39, is a teacher at North Omaha High School. He says he is deeply concerned his students will want to flee the city as soon as possible, and he wants to make Omaha a place young people want to stay.

Kimara Snipe, 45, serves on the South Omaha and Omaha Public Schools board. She is also the president of the South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance.

Jim Cavanaugh, 70, a Douglas County Commissioner is considering running at the urging of others.

Former congressional candidate Kara Eastman and Omaha City Councilman Ben Gray are both 'keeping their options open' as well.

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