A Look at Who’s Running for City Council

By: Justin Diep & Mel Buer 

All seven seats on the Omaha City Council are up on the ballot in 2021. On April 6th, Omaha residents voted in the primary, with the top two candidates moving on to the general election on May 11. Polls will open May 11 at 8 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m. As general election day moves closer, we’ve put together a clear guide on the candidates running for each district with some information about their campaign platforms.

District 1- North Central Omaha

Pete Festersen (Democrat) (incumbent)

Councilman Pete Festersen is seeking a 4th term as city councilman for District 1. He was first elected in 2009 and was reelected in 2013 and 2017. He won 55% of the vote in the primary (7415).

Festersen believes the city needs to focus on the ongoing pandemic and the city’s recovery from it. He will continue to prioritize public safety, police relations and improving the city’s streets. Festersen will also work with the community on affordable housing, public transit and mental health. 

     “During difficult times, we need proven leadership that can bring people together to address these complex issues and focus on the future of our community,” Festersen said.

Sarah Johnson (Independent)

Challenging Pete Festersen for his District 1 city council seat is independent Sarah Johnson. She took second place in the primary with 25% of the vote (3327).

Johnson decided to run for city council because she believes that civic leaders should value people over politics. “There are too many residents of our community who feel that Omaha’s government no longer works for them,” she said on her website. “It’s time to hold our elected officials accountable. It’s time for courageous conversations and community-drive, proactive leadership.”

She plans to prioritize public safety and wellness, inclusion and amplifying the voices of Omaha’s historically marginalized communities, responsible allocation of the city budget, and increased sustainability and implementation of a climate action plan.

District 2- East Omaha

Ben Gray (Democrat) (incumbent)

Councilman Ben Gray is seeking a 4th term as city councilman for District 2. He was first elected in 2009 and won re-election in 2013 and 2017. He won 40% of the vote in the primary (2615).

Gray’s platform includes initiatives to create more affordable housing in Omaha, continued investment in Omaha’s infrastructure, and investments in business development and entrepreneurship. “It can’t be grand programs and nonprofits. It has to be business startups and ventures that will return wealth to the community, and we have to support them when they come,” Grey said in a statement on his campaign website

Juanita Johnson (Democrat)

Juanita Johnson will challenge Ben Gray for his District 2 seat on the Omaha city council. She won 23% of the vote in the primary (1502). In a statement on her campaign website, Johnson expressed the importance of being a leader in her community, particularly by “increasing access to good jobs, addressing educational gaps, and tackling health disparities.”

District 3- Central/Midtown/Downtown Omaha

Danny Begley (Democrat)

Danny Begley is running for the open District 3 city council seat. He won 38% of the vote in the primary (4228). Mr. Begley is an Omaha native and life-long union member.

Begley’s platform primarily consists of proposed initiatives to secure a living wage of Omahans, create more opportunities for skilled workers in Omaha, repair Omaha’s infrastructure and roads, and ensure workers are treated fairly. 

“I plan to support policies that will allow young families for generations to come find affordable housing, careers with benefits, friendly neighbors, excellent schools, and safe parks in District Three,” he said.

Cammy Watkins (Nonpartisan)

Cammy Watkins is challenging Begley for the open District 3 seat. She won 37% of the vote in the primary (4118).

Among her core priorities are community care, public wifi for Omaha residents, equitable housing initiatives, and increased food security for Omahans. Her mission is “to focus the resources of our city into strategic community investments. Building infrastructure that brings us together and improves our quality of life,” according to her campaign website.

District 4- South Omaha

Vinny Palermo (Democrat) (incumbent)

Vinny Palermo was elected to Omaha city council District 4 in 2017, and is hoping for reelection this year. He won 47% of the vote in the primary (2927).

Of the various positions he holds in the community, Palermo serves as the City Council Vice President and serves on the Police and Fire Pension Board. He is also a member of the South Omaha Business Association, South Omaha Neighborhood Alliance, South Omaha Community Care Council, and as a Police Athletics for Community Engagement volunteer.

Becky Barrientos-Patlan (Republican)

Becky Berrientos-Patlan is running against Mr. Palermo and won 23% of the vote in the primary (1417). She was born and raised in South Omaha and is the founder of the Burlington Road Neighborhood Association. 

In a statement on her Facebook page, she wrote, “With your support, as the next City Councilor representing District 4, I will work to ensure that the people will have a Strong Voice when it comes to voting for policy to help keep the tax burden off the hard working people of South Omaha/District 4.”

District 5- Southwest Omaha

Don Rowe (Republican)

Don Rowe won 19% of the vote in the District 5 primary (2554). 

Among his chief priorities are creative development alternatives in order to provide affordable housing, encouraging development in the small business community, and more support for Omaha Police and Fire. 

“Strong Fire and Police departments promote safety for our community. We need to foster relationships and instill trust in those we depend on to keep our community safe,” he said.

Patrick Leahy (Democrat)

Patrick Leahy is an architect running for the District 5 seat. He won 19% of the vote in the primary (2480). Leahy was elected to the Metropolitan Board of Governors in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

Leahy believes in building consensus with community leaders to solve the city’s problems. “We really need to ask people what they need in every district,” Leahy said. “It's about dialogue, it's about finding those leaders already in the community to reach each group of people and every part of the town both, not just racially but economically and geography, bring them together and have them at the voice at the table.”

 He wants to focus on recovery from the pandemic, the economy, jobs, housing and infrastructure. Leahy wants to stop the brain drain of the city to keep jobs in the city. He will address the city’s roads, lack of broadband internet citywide and transportation issues especially in the north and south parts of the city.

District 6- West Omaha

Brinker Harding (Republican) (Incumbent)

Brinker Harding is the current District 6 city councilman. He won 61% of the vote in the primary (10202).

In his endorsement for Harding for city council, Douglas County Commissioner Mike Boyle said, “The City of Omaha is fortunate to have reliable and consistent leadership in Brinker Harding. Since taking office in 2017, Brinker has worked with Democrats and Republicans to move our city forward. Brinker has worked to expand public-private partnerships to grow Omaha, improve the infrastructure in every corner of the city and help our families and businesses rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Naomi Hattaway (Democrat)

Naomi Hattaway is a licensed realtor running for the District 6 seat. She won 39% of the vote in the primary (6440). She has served numerous leadership positions in organizations around the city such as RISE, an inmate reform program, POC Collaborative, the Women’s Fund of Omaha Circles, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha and Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless. 

Hattaway focuses on economic recovery, equitable development, smart growth and prioritized accessibility. She envisions an Omaha for everyone by ensuring equity in policies the city creates.

“West Omaha needs a proactive leader who is willing to actually represent the individuals and families who make up the fabric of this city, and not defer solely to developers,” Hattawaty said. “I believe we can choose progress, economic recovery and equity. It is important to me that we prioritize all neighborhoods being safe so all Omahans can thrive.”

District 7- Northwest Omaha

Aimee Melton (Republican) (Incumbent)

Aimee Melton is running for reelection in Omaha’s District 7, where she won 50% of the vote in the primary (7116).

Among her chief priorities in the new term is COVID-19 recovery, continued funding of the police department, promotion of job growth, increased initiatives to preserve Omaha’s park lands.

“As your City Councilwoman, I want to continue to serve our city, strengthen public safety, protect your tax dollars and provide freedom and opportunity for you and your families to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said on her website.

Sara Kohen (Democrat)

Sara Kohen is an attorney and school administrator who is challenging Melton in District 7. She won 50% of the vote in the primary (7063). 

She plans to support strong public health initiatives, growing the local economy in an environmentally stable way, and investment in public resources like transportation, parks, and libraries. 

“Especially since the pandemic began, we have also seen how action—or inaction—by our elected officials affects our health and safety, as well as our livelihoods,” her campaign said in a statement on their website. “Sara believes that we all have a duty to use our unique strengths to help our communities.”

Omaha residents can find what district they live in by visiting the Douglas County Election Commission website and entering their information in the “Find Your Voting Information” search box on the main page.