An Omaha agribusiness investor is filing to run for governor, setting the stage for a showdown between a political newcomer and a seasoned incumbent.
Mark Lakers, president of Ag and Food Associates, was filling out the paperwork this morning and was expected to formally file this afternoon, according to the State Democratic Party.
Lakers, 50, will run against Republican Gov. Dave Heineman, who is running for re-election.
Lakers is a registered Democrat who lives in west Omaha.
Lakers says he has time to mount a campaign, saying few people have tuned into the race.
He also said he is going to stress his business experience.
An investment banker, Lakers helps people to buy and sell businesses within the agriculture, food, alternative energy and financial services areas.
"We're going to win primarily on 30 years of business development experience, job creation and decisive leadership," said Lakers, who is a native of Iowa but has lived in Nebraska for about 15 years.
Lakers expected to formally file his candidacy this afternoon with the Nebraska Secretary of State.
Lakers was formerly with McCarthy & Co., an Omaha investment banking company. He also has worked for First National Bank of Omaha and Ralston Purina, a major food company.
His current company was formed in 2003 to help clients with mergers, acquisitions and other financial matters.
Lakers fulfills the Democratic Party's wish to find a businessman with the financial resources to run a campaign against Heineman, who has stockpiled a campaign war chest of $1.2 million.
Lakers has eight months to introduce himself to voters and convince voters to unseat a governor. Democrats say it can be done, pointing out that Bob Kerrey did it in 1982.
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