In a number of recent columns, I have expressed my firmly held belief that getting rid of dividing our electoral votes and going to “Winner Take All” is bad for Nebraska and, more specifically, Omaha.

So, when Jean Stothert was a guest of the Free Speech Society last Saturday, I asked her the first question, and it was why she supports “Winner Take All.”

She is an artful politician. You don’t get elected to three terms if you don’t know how to dodge some of the issues.

She downplayed her support of changing our system while trying to sound neutral. She claimed that she had not taken a position on the issue while admitting she supports doing what every other state does.

I challenged her on it. After all, saying that you want to do what every other state does is the same as saying that you support “Winner Take All” even if you don’t use those exact words.

It didn’t take long before I started getting texts and phone calls from supporters of Mike McDonnell telling me that Jean had lied to me. They showed me an article in the Nebraska Examiner where she said that she supported WTA. I pointed out that it was possible that she told the reporter the very same thing she told me, and he wrote that she supported “Winner Take All” without her using those actual words. Therefore, technically, it is not a lie.

McDonnell’s people insisted that she had indeed used those actual words, so I went to the source and asked the reporter to tell me exactly what she said.

Aaron Sanderford is a responsible, respected reporter for the Nebraska Examiner and he confirmed that Mayor Stothert did indeed say the words “Winner Take All.”

For the life of me, I will never understand how the Mayor of Nebraska’s largest city can boast about how the economy has improved under her tenure yet she wants to kill a program that brings millions of dollars in cash and free publicity to her town. I was hoping that when I asked her that question, she had a reasonable reason to take away the vote. She doesn’t.

But then again getting rid of the so-called blue dot doesn’t make any sense and the best reason its supporters can give is that we should be like every other state.

She then went on to attack McDonnel, saying that he could be “bought and sold.” She claims that the only reason he voted to keep the blue dot was that the Republican Party wouldn’t give him enough money for his campaign to change his vote. She said her claim was provable.

I have heard that rumor going around political circles for a while now, but without proof, I never commented on it or made that claim. Just like I never commented on the rumor that the mayor spends more time in St. Louis than she does in Omaha. I’m a commentator but I don’t comment on rumors.

So, the ball is now in your court Mayor Stothert. Prove it.

Prove that Mike McDonnell held his vote out for more money. While it wouldn’t surprise me if he did, you said that you could prove it. Unless there is a secret recording of him saying that or a paper trail of some kind, I doubt you can.

After all, without hard evidence, it just turns into a series of claims and denials. Without any actual proof, it’s just more political mudslinging.

Jasmine Harris also spoke at that meeting. She spoke of her background in health and her work in prison reform. I’ll admit I didn’t know a lot about her in the past, but she has accomplished a lot.

I attended the debate WOWT held at the press club, watched her on the KETV forum, and of course heard her speak and take questions at the Free Speech Society. She is quite impressive. She may not have the money or the name recognition that the other candidates have, but she is worth serious consideration when you vote on April 1st.

And I do hope you will vote on April 1st. It’s understandable if you’re sick and tired of politics right now and want to put your head in the sand and avoid anything to do with it. But all politics are local, and it doesn’t get more local than this. Take some time to visit all the mayoral and city council candidates web sites and let your voice be heard.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

Opinions expressed by columnists in The Daily Record are not necessarily those of its management or staff, and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Any errors or omissions should be called to our attention so that they may be corrected. Contact us at news@omahadailyrecord.com.