OMAHA- The self-proclaimed "Defender of the Downtrodden," former state Senator Ernie Chambers, the longest-serving legislator in Nebraska history, said recently that he's "thinking about" running against incumbent Sen. Terrell McKinney. However, Chambers, now 86 years old, added that thinking about running is "different than planning or intending to."

The final deadline to file as a candidate for the Nebraska Legislature is March 1st. This year, sixteen of the 25 seats up for election in the Legislature are "open," or lacking an incumbent. Three other races feature appointees making their first run to retain their post. As of Friday, the incumbent deadline for re-election, only one legislative seat lacked candidates entirely: District 15, which is now held by the soon-to-be term limited Sen. Lynne Walz.

After leaving office in 2021, Chambers said he'd consider running again in 2024 if his health was good and his mind was "clear." Recently, Chambers asserted that both boxes were checked this year, but that "people won't let me be." He said that some in Nebraska believe he carries a "magic wand" to block some of the "bad things" that have happened in recent legislative sessions. "But," said Chambers, "there's only so much one person can do. Even Jesus would end up on the cross."

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