Latest news with #Stothert
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
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voters Reject Republican Who Embraced Anti-Trans Attacks In Nebraska Mayoral Race
Voters in Omaha, Nebraska, have ousted three-term Republican Mayor Jean Stothert after she blanketed airwaves with anti-trans attacks during her recent bid for reelection. Stothert was defeated on Tuesday by Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing Jr., who won with 56.3% of the vote to her 43.7%. He's now poised to be the city's first Democratic mayor in over a decade, as well as its first Black mayor ever. (Although the role is nonpartisan, the two candidates can still project party affiliations.) Ewing's win signals a repudiation of Stothert's anti-trans messaging — which national Republicans touted repeatedly during the 2024 election and which fueled anti-trans bills targeting gender-affirming care in at least 19 states. While Stothert reportedly governed as a moderate, she leaned heavily into transphobic rhetoric during the mayoral race, echoing national GOP talking points that framed trans people as predators in public bathrooms and as threats in sporting events. 'Ewing stands with radicals who want to allow boys in girls' sports,' one Stothert television ad claimed. In an interview with KETV this week, Ewing called the controversy a 'made-up issue by Jean Stothert and the Republican Party.' Other policies the two candidates focused on included more standard local issues like street repairs, affordable housing and police staffing. The contest represents another electoral bright spot for Democrats, who've added to their slew of regional wins since President Donald Trump's presidential victory last November. In addition to flipping the mayoral seat in Omaha, Democrats have also won state Senate elections in Iowa and Pennsylvania, adding to their momentum going into the 2026 midterms. 'From coast to coast, from blue to purple to even red states, Democrats are overwhelmingly outperforming Republicans in nearly every election held this year,' Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in response to Ewing's victory on Tuesday. 'After tonight, vulnerable House Republicans like Don Bacon are on notice.' While Omaha has been known as a 'blue dot' in a red state for its liberal leanings, Republicans have held the city's mayoral seat since 2013 and continue to hold the region's congressional district. However, Omaha's congressional district, which voted for Trump in 2016, backed Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020 and 2024.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
John Ewing set to become Omaha's first Black mayor and flip the office for Democrats
John Ewing, the treasurer of Douglas County, Nebraska, is set to become Omaha's first Black mayor after his opponent conceded in Tuesday's mayoral election -- and Democrats are celebrating the upset as a sign of what they say is the latest in a string of election victories where they are "outperforming Republicans." Ewing faced off against incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert, a Republican who was running for a fourth term. The election is technically nonpartisan; political parties are not named on the ballot. But according to the Associated Press, Ewing's and Stothert's campaigns became more partisan ahead of election day. MORE: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka arrested at ICE facility while joining Democrats to conduct 'oversight' Ewing currently leads Stothert by almost 11,000 votes, according to election results from the Douglas County Elections Commission. "One of the things I've always wanted to do is be a mentor and an example for the young people in our community, so they could believe that their dreams were possible. And I hope they're watching tonight. I hope they believe that their dreams are possible," Ewing told ABC affiliate KETV late Tuesday night. Stothert said she called Ewing to concede, according to KETV. Democrats are pointing to the results, and how Ewing flipped the office from Republican to Democrat, as a sign of what they say is their continued success in special and off-cycle elections this year. That includes victories or better-than-expected performances in some state legislative special elections, as well as the Democratic-supported candidate's victory in the nonpartisan Wisconsin Supreme Court race in April. "From coast to coast, from blue to purple to even red states, Democrats are overwhelmingly outperforming Republicans in nearly every election held this year," Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement late Tuesday. Republicans and other observers have argued against reading too much into results of individual. Off-cycle elections, including special elections, or elections such as Omaha's mayoral election that are not held concurrently with Election Day, have a much smaller turnout and are not necessarily indicative of what turnout or results on Election Day in November might be. John Ewing set to become Omaha's first Black mayor and flip the office for Democrats originally appeared on
14-05-2025
- Politics
John Ewing set to become Omaha's first Black mayor and flip the office for Democrats
Ewing faced GOP incumbent Jean Stothert, who was running for a fourth term. By 4:35 John Ewing, the treasurer of Douglas County, Nebraska, is set to become Omaha's first Black mayor after his opponent conceded in Tuesday's mayoral election -- and Democrats are celebrating the upset as a sign of what they say is the latest in a string of election victories where they are "outperforming Republicans." Ewing faced off against incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert, a Republican who was running for a fourth term. The election is technically nonpartisan; political parties are not named on the ballot. But according to the Associated Press, Ewing's and Stothert's campaigns became more partisan ahead of election day. Ewing currently leads Stothert by almost 11,000 votes, according to election results from the Douglas County Elections Commission. "One of the things I've always wanted to do is be a mentor and an example for the young people in our community, so they could believe that their dreams were possible. And I hope they're watching tonight. I hope they believe that their dreams are possible," Ewing told ABC affiliate KETV late Tuesday night. Stothert said she called Ewing to concede, according to KETV. Democrats are pointing to the results, and how Ewing flipped the office from Republican to Democrat, as a sign of what they say is their continued success in special and off-cycle elections this year. That includes victories or better-than-expected performances in some state legislative special elections, as well as the Democratic-supported candidate's victory in the nonpartisan Wisconsin Supreme Court race in April. "From coast to coast, from blue to purple to even red states, Democrats are overwhelmingly outperforming Republicans in nearly every election held this year," Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said in a statement late Tuesday. Republicans and other observers have argued against reading too much into results of individual. Off-cycle elections, including special elections, or elections such as Omaha's mayoral election that are not held concurrently with Election Day, have a much smaller turnout and are not necessarily indicative of what turnout or results on Election Day in November might be.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Trump Effect Is Here: Democrats Sweep to Victory in Historic Upset
The Donald Trump effect struck in Nebraska Tuesday night as Democrats snatched another public office away from Republicans by tying them to the president's disastrous agenda. The people of Omaha elected John Ewing Jr. to be the city's first Black mayor, in a surprising defeat for Jean Stothert, the city's three-term Republican mayor who outraised Ewing by nearly double, according to The Washington Post. Although the seat itself is non-partisan, Ewing's campaign was able to channel the voters' negative feelings about Trump's wild first few months in office into a victory over his opponent, who had supported the president's run in 2024. 'Let's say no to the chaos and elect a mayor who will actually get things done,' said one ad run by Ewing's campaign. Stothert got in trouble for using the same anti-trans Republican playbook that Trump employed in his campaign. One controversial mailer distributed by a PAC on behalf of her campaign claimed that 'Ewing stands with radicals who want to allow boys in girls' sports.' But Ewing said he'd made no such statement. 'Nobody's ever brought that question up. So I believe it's a made-up issue by Jean Stothert and the Republican Party,' Ewing said, and his campaign sent a cease-and-desist letter to Stothert for the misleading attack. Ewing's campaign was then able to use his opponent's attack to mock her focus on such a non-issue. 'Jean is focused on potties. John is focused on fixing potholes,' read one ad. Stothert's campaign stood by the mailer, saying that it referred to groups that had lent their support to Ewing. During a press event last week, Stothert tried to defend herself, comparing the ads from the two campaigns. 'I would bring it back to, 'Why is John Ewing trying to relate me to Donald Trump and saying the city is in chaos?'' Stothert said. 'Donald Trump has not called me and asked me for advice.' Stothert has tried to distance herself from the Trump administration, which she initially supported. During an appearance on the daily podcast Omapod earlier this month, she said, 'I can honestly say as a Republican, I don't like everything [Trump's] doing and decisions he's making. I wish he'd slow down on a lot of these decisions he's making. I don't advise the president.' This election indicated that Nebraska's second congressional district, which handily backed Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential election, is emerging as one of the most contested battlegrounds for control of the U.S. House in the coming midterms. Republican Representative Don Bacon's term will be up, and he will be forced to decide whether he will run for reelection in a district that includes the 'Blue Dot' of Omaha.
