Former State Treasurer Don Stenberg took a sharp jab Saturday at U.S. Senate opponent Jon Bruning, accusing him of using his public office as attorney general to enrich his bank account.
Stenberg said it was inappropriate for Bruning to amass a business portfolio worth more than $12 million while serving in office.
"We need a senator who is committed to public service, not someone who sees public office as a ticket to personal financial gain," Stenberg said at a gathering of the Nebraska Republican Party's leadership committee in Omaha.
Bruning, who also attended the meeting, declined to respond to Stenberg's comments, saying he preferred to stick with the issues rather than talk about his business deals.
"He can talk about what he wants. I'm going to talk about reducing the size and scope of government," said Bruning, who promised his fellow Republicans that if he is elected he would trim the federal debt.
Stenberg, Bruning and State Sen. Deb Fischer are vying for the GOP nomination in the May 15 primary. All three spoke at the gathering of the party's state central committee at the Paxton, attended by about 130 Republicans.
On the Democratic side, Bob Kerrey, a former Nebraska governor and senator, is considering a run. He has said he expects to make a decision soon.
This is not the first time Bruning's finances have been under the spotlight. Democrats tried to make it an issue last summer, accusing Bruning of being a "part-time" attorney general.
Bruning became a multimillionaire over the past decade while earning $95,000 a year as attorney general. He did it by investing in several Nebraska banks, storage companies in Omaha and Des Moines, and retirement homes in Kansas.
His exact wealth is not known, but Bruning has said it is well below $12 million, when the money he owes on his investments is taken into consideration.
Bruning also has argued that he has made it a point to invest, primarily, in Nebraska businesses and that his investments have not interfered with his work as attorney general.
Stenberg countered that when he served as attorney general, he sold nearly all of his stock to avoid any appearance or conflict of interest.
Bruning succeeded Stenberg as attorney general in 2002.
For her part, Fischer stayed clear of the controversy. She focused her comments on her vow to trim the nation's debt and create jobs.
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