[Sly Fox]

Here's a guy who spent some time on the mountain who is now running for Tom Osborne's seat in Congress for Nebraska:

Smith, a 2-term state senator, pursues 3rd district seat

By KATIE RYAN/Telegram Staff Writer

COLUMBUS - For a fourth-generation Nebraskan with a mind for small business, a life of public service seemed like a natural path.

A native of Gering, Adrian Smith is running for Tom Osborne's seat in the 3rd Congressional District. Smith has lived in Nebraska for almost all of his life, he said.

Except for a year and a half stint at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., Smith has always called Nebraska home. Smith graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and received a degree in education. He is currently a real-estate agent and owns his own mini-storage business.

He served on the Gering City Council for four years and then in 1998 was elected state senator from District 48 and re-elected in 2002. Because of term-limit legislation he could not run again for the Unicameral and is seeking the open seat in 3rd District Congress.

He considers himself qualified for the position because of his ties to Nebraska and his experience in politics.

Smith has an “outstanding” amount of experience, said U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, who has worked with Smith since 1995 when Hagel first decided to run for senate. Hagel said Smith and his family greatly contributed to his campaign and he valued their help.

“(Smith) is a young man of immense potential,” Hagel said.

Smith's main political focus is on the economy and fiscal development, he said. Government spending should be more limited he said, some federally funded issues, No Child Left Behind for example, are local issues that should be monitored and funded locally.

But Smith isn't focused on one issue, but rather a balance of issues.

“I don't think we should put all of our eggs in one basket,” he said.

His goal for Nebraska is to raise national awareness for what is in the 3rd District, Cabela's and Behlen Mfg. Co. among others, and their contributions economically.

There is not enough talk about the successes of the 3rd District , he said.

Smith has been criticized for accepting campaign donations from Club for Growth, an organization accused of wanting to curb all farm subsidies. The 3rd District has been described as the most agrarian in the country.

Club for Growth criticized parts of the farm bill, Smith said, not farm subsidies entirely. Club for Growth is against non-farmers and large farms receiving governmental subsidies, he said.

Smith is a Friend of Agriculture, he said, and was so named by the Nebraska Farm Bureau in 1998 and 2002.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau designated him a Friend of Agriculture because of his concern for agricultural issues and his accessibility to hear issues related to agriculture, said Cheryl Stubbendieck, vice-president for public relations at the Nebraska Farm Bureau.

Vice President Dick Cheney came to Grand Island last to support Smith. Cheney boosted Smith's fundraising campaign with a $200-a-plate luncheon that raised about $100,000, Smith said, most of which will go to his campaign.

The 3rd District needs someone who understands the district, Hagel said, and being born and raised there, he said, every fiber of Smith's being is 3rd District. Hagel said the district also needs someone who is willing to work hard.

“Adrian Smith would devote that kind of effort to it,” he said.

Smith will face Democrat Scott Kleeb in November.

http://www.columbustelegram.com/article ... 5smith.txt