Heineman Ad Denotes Republican Spat
Former governor calls attack by his own party viscious, untrue and out of place
By News Channel NebraskaNEBRASKA CITY – Former Republican Gov. Dave Heineman is featured in an ad promoted by First District Legislature candidate Janet Palmtag criticizing the state Republican Party.
In the video posted on Facebook, Heineman may be referencing a flier recently mailed to voters in the First District. It claims that Palmtag, a Republican, sides with liberals in Lincoln. Palmtag is pictured along with State Sen. Ernie Chambers, saying that Palmtag sides with Chambers, who the flier calls an atheist.
Heineman: “Unfortunately, in the last few days, the Nebraska Republican Party has engaged in a vicious, negative attack ad on Janet Palmtag. It’s untrue. It was coordinated and directed by Sen. Slama’s political consultant. It has no place in this race.”
State Sen. Julie Slama replied to a News Channel Nebraska e-mail saying she has no comment about the ad featuring Heineman at this time.
Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts is backing Slama of Peru for the legislative seat. Ricketts appointed her to the Legislature in 2019 over Palmtag, who had also applied for the appointment.
In addition to former Gov. Heineman, Republican Congressman Jeff Fortenberry is supporting Palmtag, a real estate agent who the Republicans describe as a consistent party volunteer and supporter of Republican causes.
Slama is officially supported by the state Republican Party. Former Gov. Kay Orr is on record in support of Slama, a former campaign worker.
Dennis Schaardt, also a Republican, is a third candidate running for the Legislature in the first district.