OMAHA- For the first time in years, the state's largest newspaper, the Omaha World-Herald, is endorsing a Democrat for Governor.

The newspaper is backing Sen. Carol Blood over her Republican candidate Jim Pillen, largely because the latter refused to meet with the paper's editorial board.

According to the editors, "Blood met with us. But Pillen rebuffed us, something that major candidates have rarely done."

The editors go on to note that Pillen's "no-show [is] not surprising, given that Pillen also refused to debate with Blood or, before the May Primary, with his fellow Republican candidates."

During the past few months, several news channels and papers have attempted to reach out to Pillen, but to avail. News Channel Nebraska, when reporting on one of Pillen's ads and his apparent flip-flop regarding roads, attempted to contact the candidate but was denied a meeting.

Most recently, News Channel Nebraska requested an on-camera interview with Pillen to discuss taxes, abortion, roads, and broadband, but was told that the candidate had a "dynamic schedule...but we will let you know if anything opens up."

They never heard back.

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