One of the most crowded Omaha City Council races so far is for the seat that represents northeast Omaha.
At least seven people are pursuing campaigns to challenge incumbent Councilman Ben Gray to represent District 2, which stretches from Forest Lawn Cemetery into north downtown and includes Florence, Eppley Airfield and Creighton University.
Gray, a Democrat on the officially nonpartisan council, was elected to his seat in 2009 and has twice won reelection. He is one of five sitting council members who are vying for another term.
Ben Gray
Those looking to unseat Gray include military veterans, community organizers and business owners. Among the issues being raised are increased economic development, better educational outcomes for children and criminal justice reform. Some say the city should divest funds from the Omaha Police Department, while others call the cityâs police force a national example.
Mitchell
David D. Mitchell, who has taken out the paperwork to petition his way onto the ballot for the councilâs District 2 seat, alleged in a court filing that Jerram violated his First Amendment rights.
Mitchell is one of several people who have said they plan to challenge Councilman Ben Gray for his seat representing northeast Omaha. Jerram is not seeking reelection to his District 3 seat representing midtown and downtown.
The primary is April 6, and the general election is May 11.
Mitchellâs lawsuit stems from a Nov. 24 City Council meeting during which Jerram directed a Douglas County sheriffâs deputy to remove Mitchell from the meeting for speaking out of order.
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