White enters House race

Tom White made it clear this morning that he plans to run for Congress as a tax-fighting, pro-business Democrat who loves the word "nonpartisan."

White, 52, officially jumped into the race this morning against six-term Republican Rep. Lee Terry, paving the way for a long campaign. He made the announcement surrounded by about two dozen friends and family. State Sen. Brenda Council provided the opening comments and former Chief Justice Tom white introduced his son.

The election is more than a year away, but White will need the time to raise the money and his name recognition.

Terry has fended off numerous challengers in recent years. White is a one-term state senator and unknown quantity among many voters in the Omaha-centered 2nd Congressional District.

Terry has officially begun gearing up his campaign, raising money and hiring his longtime campaign manager, David Boomer.

White talked about nonpartisanship from the start of his morning press conference held at the Omaha Press Club.

"Lee Terry and too many other politicians in D.C. spend too much time trying to score cheap shots for their party and not enough time working together to meet the challenges facing our country," White said.

A civil rights attorney, White also talked extensively about his time in the Nebraska Legislature.

White said he could only support budgets that contained no tax increases. He also said he helped to repeal the marriage tax penalty in the state income tax code, and that he passed legislation that more than doubled tax credits for research and development in Nebraska.

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444-1309, robynn.tysver@owh.com