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Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who is John Ewing Jr.? What to know about Omaha's first elected Black mayor
John Ewing Jr., a former police officer and treasurer of Nebraska's most populous county, was elected Omaha's first Black mayor, beating out three-term incumbent Republican Mayor Jean Stothert in a race that, near the end, became a partisan back-and-forth. In the latter days of what was technically a nonpartisan race, Ewing, a Democrat, criticized Stothert's support for President Donald Trump, prompting Stothert to respond with ads that attacked Ewing's advocacy for transgender athletes and gender-affirming care for minors, USA TODAY reported. Ewing received 48,693 votes, while Stothert – who was Omaha's first female mayor – received 37,758 votes, according to unofficial results from the Douglas County Election Commission. While Ewing is Omaha's first elected Black mayor, the Omaha World-Herald reported that then-City Council president Fred Conley, who is Black, briefly became the city's acting mayor in 1988. Ewing was born and raised in North Omaha, according to his campaign website. He spent nearly 25 years with the Omaha Police Department, where he retired as deputy chief. For the last 18 years, Ewing has served as Douglas County treasurer. He is also an ordained minister at Salem Baptist Church in Omaha, and a "husband, father and grandfather," his website says. Ewing is 64 years old. He celebrated his birthday in April. Here's what Ewing's campaign website says about his stance on a variety of issues. Public safety: "I am dedicated to implementing comprehensive strategies that will ensure the safety of our city. These strategies include a focus on community policing, proper officer training, and clear accountability standards that protect both officers and the public." Economic development: "My administration is committed to fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for all. We will actively work to attract new businesses, support local entrepreneurs, and invest in infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic development and job creation." Housing: "We recognize the critical shortage of high-density affordable housing. My administration will prioritize the addition of at least 1,500 affordable housing units to our housing stock. This initiative will not only address the immediate housing shortage but also create living-wage jobs." In a speech to his supporters after the result became clear, Ewing said he was "deeply honored and humbled to stand before you today as your mayor-elect.' "To the people of Omaha, thank you for placing your trust in me to lead our city into a brighter future," he said. "This victory is not mine alone. It belongs to every resident of the city of Omaha." Ewing talked about the need to build more affordable housing, create jobs that pay a living wage, promote equitable economic development and develop public safety strategies to build trust between police and residents. "As your mayor, I am committed to addressing those challenges head-on," he said. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Who is John Ewing Jr.? What to know Omaha's next mayor
NBC News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
First female mayor of Omaha concedes in race against likely first Black mayor
OMAHA, Neb. — Omaha's first female mayor has conceded the mayoral race to a man who will likely become the community's first Black mayor. Voters in Omaha were making history Tuesday by either reelecting the city's first female mayor to a rare fourth term or electing the community's first Black mayor. The race between Mayor Jean Stothert and challenger John Ewing primarily revolved around local issues like street repairs and garbage service, but in the final stretch the campaign touched on more national, hot-button issues such as President Donald Trump's administration and transgender rights. Stothert was trailing by nearly 5,000 votes in early returns Tuesday night. At her election night event, Stothert said she called Ewing and conceded in the race, KETV reported. 'I called John Ewing and I congratulated him,' Stothert said. 'John Ewing is inheriting tonight a great city, and we leave a strong foundation for the city that we love. We are grateful and we are hopeful.' The winner will lead Nebraska's largest city, which makes up nearly a quarter of the state's population. In campaigning for a fourth term, Stothert has portrayed Omaha as a city on a hot streak with a revitalized riverfront, plans moving ahead on a streetcar line and progress repairing city streets. 'I have plans and can talk about them, and they are working,' Stothert told the Omaha World-Herald. If reelected, she would have the longest tenure as mayor in more than a century. Ewing, the county treasurer, said the mayor hasn't focused enough attention on core issues like filling potholes, hiring more police officers and building more affordable housing. 'People just feel like she's had her time, and it's time for somebody new,' Ewing said. Although the mayor's office is nonpartisan, the candidates have made it clear to voters that Stothert is a Republican and Ewing is a Democrat. Omaha is among the few spots in conservative Nebraska where Democrats have a reasonable chance of winning elected offices. Despite a focus on bread-and-butter issues like city services, the candidates have issued more partisan messages as the election neared. A Stothert TV ad says, 'Ewing stands with radicals who want to allow boys in girls' sports.' Ewing responded that he hasn't dealt with such transgender issues as treasurer and told KETV he wouldn't respond to hypothetical questions. Ewing has aired ads that connect Stothert to the Trump administration, showing the mayor on a split screen with Trump and saying 'Let's say no to the chaos and elect a mayor who will actually get things done.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Omaha poised to have first Black leader after mayor concedes race
Omaha's first female mayor has conceded the city's mayoral race to a man who is poised to become the community's first Black mayor. Voters in Omaha were set to make history Tuesday by either reelecting the city's first female mayor to a rare fourth term or electing the community's first Black mayor. The winner will lead Nebraska's largest city, which makes up nearly a quarter of the state's population. The race between Mayor Jean Stothert and challenger John Ewing primarily revolved around local issues like street repairs and garbage service, but in the final stretch, the campaign touched on more national, hot-button issues such as President Donald Trump's administration and transgender rights. Stothert was trailing by nearly 11,000 votes in unofficial results late Tuesday night. At her election night event, Stothert said she called Ewing and conceded in the race, according to CNN-affiliate KETV. 'I called John Ewing, and I congratulated him,' Stothert said. 'John Ewing is inheriting tonight a great city, and we leave a strong foundation for the city that we love. We are grateful and we are hopeful.' In campaigning for a fourth term, Stothert has portrayed Omaha as a city on a hot streak with a revitalized riverfront, plans moving ahead on a streetcar line and progress repairing city streets. 'I have plans and can talk about them, and they are working,' Stothert told the Omaha World-Herald. Ewing, the county treasurer, said the mayor hasn't focused enough attention on core issues like filling potholes, hiring more police officers and building more affordable housing. 'People just feel like she's had her time, and it's time for somebody new,' Ewing said. Although the mayor's office is nonpartisan, the candidates have made it clear to voters that Stothert is a Republican and Ewing is a Democrat. Omaha is among the few spots in conservative Nebraska where Democrats have a reasonable chance of winning elected offices. Despite a focus on bread-and-butter issues like city services, the candidates issued more partisan messages as the election neared. A Stothert TV ad says, 'Ewing stands with radicals who want to allow boys in girls' sports.' Ewing responded that he hasn't dealt with such transgender issues as treasurer and told KETV he wouldn't respond to hypothetical questions. Ewing has aired ads that connect Stothert to the Trump administration, showing the mayor on a split screen with Trump and saying, 'Let's say no to the chaos and elect a mayor who will actually get things done.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ewing sends Stothert packing, gives heart of ‘blue dot' a Democratic mayor
John Ewing Jr. and wife, Viv, celebrate during his victory speech. (Courtesy of Howard K. Marcus) OMAHA — Frustration over streets, a streetcar and seeing the same mayor for three terms showed at the ballot box Tuesday as politically divided Omaha voters sent Republican Mayor Jean Stothert into retirement in lieu of a fourth term. They elected Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr., the Democrat in charge of the offices where people annually pay their car taxes in the Omaha area, who has pledged a City Hall focused on providing better basic city services. He campaigned hard on the idea that Omaha could build better streets, hire more police officers to fight more types of crimes, work with neighborhood groups, nonprofits and others to fight root causes of crime and help all parts of the city grow. 'Tonight we embark on a new chapter,' Ewing said to a cheering crowd. 'Together we will build an Omaha that offers opportunity for the 'good life' — to everyone.' Moments before, as he launched his victory talk, he pointed out a pastor in the crowd who, along with another minister, told him about 13 years ago that he was going to be Omaha's first Black mayor. 'I didn't know if I truly embraced it at that moment,' he said. 'But they said that to me with such conviction, it stuck with me.' Ewing said he couldn't have done it without his wife, Viv. He introduced his family, including his brother, daughters and parents seated in the front. 'Mom and Dad, I hope you're proud.' To his supporters, he said a few times throughout the night: 'I promised you guys we weren't going to be outworked.' Election night was going Ewing's way from the start. After the first wave of results were announced, he told the crowd that this was the best he's felt in weeks, noting the exhaustion of the last laps of campaigning. After the second round of votes was announced, Ewing punched a fist in the air and Viv threw both arms up. His margin grew to nearly 11,000 votes by 10:15 p.m. Democratic leaders past and present packed the downtown Omaha Hilton for the Ewing celebration, including former Gov. Ben Nelson, former Mayor Jim Suttle and former State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha. Ewing, a former high-ranking police officer, is the first Democrat to serve as Omaha mayor since Suttle engineered a victory in 2009 and revived the city's finances before losing to Stothert after raising a new restaurant tax. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in the City of Omaha by about 18,900 voters, according to the Douglas County Election Commission. Ewing also will become the first elected Black mayor of Omaha, having cleared the final hurdle that narrowly eluded former Democratic State Sen. Brenda Council of Omaha in 1997. She lost a close race to former Omaha Mayor and U.S. Rep. Hal Daub, R-Neb. As the Omaha World-Herald reported, City Councilman Fred Conley briefly became acting mayor in 1988. Ewing told the Examiner that since he became treasurer — and then became the first person of color in Nebraska to win a countywide election — he'd go into classrooms and say: 'There's nothing special about me. What it means is that your dreams are possible, as well.' 'And that's what I want them to see,' he said. Daub's name was mentioned by many in the west Omaha crowd that gathered for Republicans on Tuesday night. Some had wondered whether Stothert, like Daub, might have overstayed her welcome despite having governed with significant popular support. Local political observers had predicted that Stothert's biggest challenges were likely voter fatigue, unrest about the economy under President Donald Trump and the lack of a clearly articulated plan for a fourth term. Stothert struck a proud and defiant tone in her concession speech, saying she leaves a city in much better shape than she found it. She has argued it has more money to repair roads, property tax rates that are lower and it is reviving the urban core with private donor partnerships. 'Tonight I'm very proud, grateful and hopeful. Proud of 12 years of success. I'm grateful for your support, your friendship and your trust. And I'm hopeful that the momentum we have created will continue,' Stothert said in a brief speech around 9:15 p.m. She said she called Ewing and 'congratulated him,' saying he is 'inheriting tonight a great city.' Her supporters at Tuesday's gathering at west Omaha's A View on State included Gov. Jim Pillen and former Gov. Dave Heineman, along with former gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster. Heineman, a longtime political activist before he ran, said Tuesday's results show a changing Omaha, one that is increasingly Democratic-leaning in a ruby red Republican state. 'It's been moving that way for some period of time,' he said. 'The demographics of Omaha are changing.' Pillen, who endorsed Stothert, said he was sad to lose conservative leadership in the state's largest city. He said she had done a great job making the city one of the safest large cities in the country. 'That comes from leadership focused on what really matters,' Pillen said. 'You know, as governor, I'm going to support the new mayor. That's what we do in Nebraska. But yes, I'm disappointed. … I'm selfish. I wanted her for four more years.' Tuesday's reflections were a marked change from the aggressive tone of the end of the race, which included attack ads on Ewing from the right about Democratic Party support for young people who are transgender and attack ads on Stothert from the left for the mayor backing Trump, whom she supported. In an interview, Ewing said he thought Stothert's attacks and 'making things up' were desperate moves that hurt her. He said 'people in this community … know me.' Stothert took no questions after her concession speech. But she has defended the attacks. 'This is not a national race where you can make up things and then people have to wonder if it's true,' Ewing said. 'They've seen what I've done in this city.' This spring both candidates also lobbed back-and-forth attacks about each of their records. Stothert's team criticized Ewing's office for using a decades-old calculation for paying local school districts and governments that a state audit corrected. Ewing's team blamed Stothert for the city's potholes, streets and inability to fill budgeted positions at the Omaha Police Department that Stothert added but sometimes struggled to fill with enough applicants to outpace retirements and departures. Ewing's campaign pressed its edge with early voting and door-to-door campaigning that showed up in Tuesday's results when Ewing built an early 3,572-vote lead that the traditional GOP Election Day edge could not overcome. In fact, the gap widened in the second batch of results that included the first wave of Election Day votes, as well as the third. On Tuesday night, Ewing repeated many of his goals, including improving public safety and adding to the city's stock of affordable housing. 'To ensure that every Omahan has a place to call home,' he said. Some Stothert supporters had wondered privately whether the mayor might suffer from people assuming she would win and not bothering to vote. With so-so turnout for an off-year city general election, enthusiasm proved a problem. County officials expect turnout to hit about 32%. Ewing's winning margin in the mayor's race is likely to grow on Friday, when Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse's office still has to count about 7,000 early voting ballots returned on Election Day. Those tend to come in as the early results do on Tuesday, which leaned toward Ewing. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Toronto Star
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Star
First female mayor of Omaha concedes in race against likely first Black mayor
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha's first female mayor has conceded the mayoral race to a man who will likely become the community's first Black mayor. Voters in Omaha were making history Tuesday by either reelecting the city's first female mayor to a rare fourth term or electing the community's first Black mayor. The race between Mayor Jean Stothert and challenger John Ewing primarily revolved around local issues like street repairs and garbage service, but in the final stretch the campaign touched on more national, hot-button issues such as President Donald Trump's administration and transgender rights. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Stothert was trailing by nearly 5,000 votes in early returns Tuesday night. At her election night event, Stothert said she called Ewing and conceded in the race, KETV reported. 'I called John Ewing and I congratulated him,' Stothert said. 'John Ewing is inheriting tonight a great city, and we leave a strong foundation for the city that we love. We are grateful and we are hopeful.' The winner will lead Nebraska's largest city, which makes up nearly a quarter of the state's population. In campaigning for a fourth term, Stothert has portrayed Omaha as a city on a hot streak with a revitalized riverfront, plans moving ahead on a streetcar line and progress repairing city streets. 'I have plans and can talk about them, and they are working,' Stothert told the Omaha World-Herald. If reelected, she would have the longest tenure as mayor in more than a century. Ewing, the county treasurer, said the mayor hasn't focused enough attention on core issues like filling potholes, hiring more police officers and building more affordable housing. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'People just feel like she's had her time, and it's time for somebody new,' Ewing said. Although the mayor's office is nonpartisan, the candidates have made it clear to voters that Stothert is a Republican and Ewing is a Democrat. Omaha is among the few spots in conservative Nebraska where Democrats have a reasonable chance of winning elected offices. Despite a focus on bread-and-butter issues like city services, the candidates have issued more partisan messages as the election neared. A Stothert TV ad says, 'Ewing stands with radicals who want to allow boys in girls' sports.' Ewing responded that he hasn't dealt with such transgender issues as treasurer and told KETV he wouldn't respond to hypothetical questions. Ewing has aired ads that connect Stothert to the Trump administration, showing the mayor on a split screen with Trump and saying 'Let's say no to the chaos and elect a mayor who will actually get things done.' Read more on the U.S. Election at
