HAL DAUB
Age: 69
Occupation: Corporate lawyer
Party: Republican
Any list has to include Daub. The 69-year-old former mayor has the political machinery, the name recognition and the fundraising ability to jump in. He also has a passion for the job, proven by his numerous runs.
But the big question for Daub is whether he can win. He is a divisive personality who stirs intense feelings of support and opposition. Suttle defeated him in 2009 in a victory some credited to the idea that voters were actually casting ballots against Daub, not for Suttle.
PETE FESTERSEN
Age: 40
Occupation: Owner, Strategic Business Development LLC
Party: Democratic
Festersen has been on the Omaha City Council for less than two years, but he has earned a name for himself in political circles as a potential Democratic heavyweight.
He also has community connections to tap, after working for several years as vice president of public policy and community development for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. In addition, he served as Mayor Mike Fahey's deputy chief of staff during the mayor's first term.
SCOTT HAZELRIGG
Age: 42
Occupation: CEO of Omaha Home for Boys and president of Northstar Foundation
Party: Republican
Hazelrigg seems to come up as the dark horse candidate in any potential mayoral race. He might not have widespread name recognition, but he is well known in political and community circles.
He has had a long interest in city government and opposes the recall effort, arguing it is not in the city's best interest.
He is no political novice. He has been elected three times to the Westside Community Schools school board, currently serving as its president.
DAVID NABITY
Age: 52
Occupation: Business owner, Nabity Business Advisors
Party: Republican
Nabity has the political experience to mount a campaign, having run a failed but aggressive governor's race in 2006 against Gov. Dave Heineman and former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne. He also has been active in local politics, and he moved within the Omaha city limits last summer, setting the stage for a possible run.
A supporter of the tea party movement, Nabity has been in the spotlight recently in his role as a spokesman for the Omaha Alliance for the Private Sector. The business-focused group has been highly critical of Suttle and the city's firefighter and police union contracts.
JIM VOKAL
Age: 40
Occupation: Vice president of commercial banking for Mutual of Omaha Bank
Party: Republican
Vokal would have to be at or near the top of any list of prospective candidates. He ran an aggressive race for mayor in 2009, finishing third behind Daub and Suttle. He has the ability to quickly put together a campaign, and he knows the political lay of the land.
He's also made his aspirations clear. After he lost, Vokal created a political watchdog group to keep tabs on Suttle and the Omaha City Council. He currently serves on the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority board, which oversees Qwest Center Omaha.
DAN WELCH
Age: 41
Occupation: Civil litigation attorney
Party: Republican
Welch is a former city councilman and council president. He served on the council for two terms, starting in 2001. During his time, he was an early and frequent critic of the firefighter and police union contracts. He questioned whether, in the long run, the city could afford them. He also fought to reduce firefighter staffing, including a proposal to end the four-firefighters-per-truck requirement.
The question for Welch is whether, after nearly two years out of office, he wants to get back into politics and leave an active legal practice.
TOM WHITE
Age: 54
Occupation: Lawyer
Party: Democratic
White was hammered by U.S. Rep. Lee Terry in the Nov. 2 election, but that doesn't mean he is out of politics. The former state senator would have the ability to quickly put together a campaign, having only recently just ended one.
The question for White is whether he can risk two losses in a row, which would effectively end his political career — and also whether he wants to jump back into politics so quickly after a defeat.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1309, robynn.tysver@owh.com
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