By DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star
Not to be outdone by the governor’s Lincoln City Council endorsements earlier in the week, Mayor Chris Beutler on Friday endorsed his own choices for the council.
In a race that is becoming more partisan by the day, Beutler threw his support behind the only two Democrats in the race, Jayne Snyder and Gene Carroll.
There are three at-large seats up for grabs in the May 5 election, but like Gov. Dave Heineman, Beutler said he’ll only vote for two of the six choices.
Heineman endorsed Republicans Ken Svoboda and Adam Hornung.
There was some talk Beutler would also endorse a Republican — demonstrating he’s truly bipartisan — but that didn’t happen.
Like the governor, Beutler said, “I don’t feel comfortable, frankly, with any other candidates.”
That’s a bit of a slap to the only incumbent, Councilman Ken Svoboda — who ran against Beutler for mayor in 2007. The two have had a cordial relationship since.
“I don’t think Ken Svoboda is as good as these two,” Beutler said. “Rarely has the Democratic Party put forth such quality candidates.”
Beutler said the council needs a fresh perspective.
“Together, we have to eradicate the culture of negativity, obstructionism, and acrimony that has all too often been the hallmark of the City Council,” the mayor said.
“For Lincoln to achieve all of which we are capable, negativity must give way to a positive, can-do attitude; obstructionism must be replaced with cooperation and compromise; and acrimony swept away by respectful and forthright discourse.”
He said Carroll and Snyder would be “strong allies” for his administration as it works toward “real financial change” rather than “budget gimmicks.”
“They understand that we can’t continue the ruse of promising all things to all people and avoiding responsible budget choices,” he said.
And in a swipe at the council, he said Carroll and Snyder would put the city’s interests above political interests.
“I know we won’t always agree, but that’s OK, because I know their opposition will be based on honest and sincere policy differences. They won’t oppose me simply for the sake of opposition.”
Beutler also took on the governor’s assertion Lincoln still isn’t business-friendly enough. He said he wishes “people would not perpetuate the outdated perception” Lincoln isn’t a progressive, business-friendly city. He said that doesn’t do the city, or state, any good.
And he said his endorsement of two Democrats wouldn’t increase the acrimony between the mayor and council. He said Democrats and Republicans are like “two great families,” who choose leaders from among their ranks and fight for them. But when the election is over, they come together “like lawyers who’ve been arguing with each other in a high-profile case.”
After getting the mayor’s endorsement, Carroll said: “We want to move the city forward in a non-partisan way.”
