OMAHA — State Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha has filed to withdraw from running for re-election to his longtime seat representing North Omaha in the Nebraska Legislature.
Chambers, 87, filed paperwork Monday to remove himself from the November ballot, three days before Thursday’s 5 p.m. deadline, Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said.
Kruse said Chambers told him that his political career was likely finished but that he still planned to vote.
“He has filed to decline the nomination,” Kruse said. “He will not appear on the November ballot.”
No immediate comment from Chambers
Chambers had no immediate comment Monday. He has said he sought a return to Lincoln this year to stiffen the backbone of the Legislature as a separate and equal branch of government.
Chambers advanced in this May’s officially nonpartisan primary to face State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, the Democratic incumbent. Chambers ran as a registered nonpartisan.
The third-place finisher in the May primary, nonpartisan neighborhood advocate Calandra Cooper, did not immediately return calls or messages seeking comment.
Chambers spent 46 years in the Legislature, where he mastered using legislative rules. He often delighted in stalling what he called “bad legislation” sought by the conservative majority.
He helped state lawmakers abolish the death penalty in 2015, arguing its application was arbitrary and cruel. Voters restored the death penalty the next year by ballot measure.
Opponent expresses surprise, admiration
McKinney, reached Monday evening, said he was surprised to hear Chambers wasn’t running any longer. He thanked him for his service advocating for people in need.
“Senator Chambers is truly one of a kind, and we should all be grateful for the years he dedicated to serving and advocating for the downtrodden,” McKinney said. “I wish him the best.”
McKinney is best known for his work prodding the Parole Board and prison system, pushing for sentencing reform and helping to steer federal pandemic relief funds to North and South Omaha.
He has also worked to make it harder to suspend elementary school students for acting out because of data showing students of color were disproportionately targeted.
There is still time for another candidate to petition onto the November ballot by gathering er 599 valid signatures from registered voters by the close of business on Sept. 3, Kruse said.
One of Chambers’ friends still serving in the Legislature, State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, described him as a “legendary public servant in Nebraska.”
She lauded him for sharing progressive policy ideas “grounded in principles of Justice.” She said she respected Chambers’ decision to withdraw. He had called this race his “last ride.”
“He has been a personal mentor to generations of Nebraska leaders and it will always be one of the great honors of my life to be one of them,” Hunt said.
Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: . Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and X.
