Ashford’s Fellow Democrat Rival: He’s Not ‘In It to Win It.’

Omaha, NE.--The gloves are off in the Democrats' Omaha House race, well at least one set of gloves. As Kara Eastman picks up the backing of the progressive "Blue America" group she has some choice words for her opponent, former Congressman Brad Ashford.

▪(Ashford's) taken contradictory stands on almost every important issue over his long political career. ▪ People in the district tell me they are unhappy with Ashford’s voting record.

And then there was this:

▪They also feel like he is not in it to win it.

Uncertain what "not in it to win it means" News Channel Nebraska asked Team Eastman for clarification:

NCN: Does that mean Ashford does not want to serve in Congress? Are they suggesting he's really trying to get Don Bacon elected? Please shed as much light on this as possible.

Eastman Campaign, Heather Aliano: I don’t have anything to add to (Kara Eastman's) statements in this endorsement on what voters are telling us.

While noting that Ashford won the 2nd Congressional District seat in 2014, before losing to Republican Don Bacon in 2016, Eastman adds, "We’ve run the same kind of moderate to conservative candidate at the local, state, and federal level, and we’ve seen them lose over and over again."

Casting aside previous Democratic Congressional hopefuls, such as Jim Esch and Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing, Eastman says, "I'm the first serious progressive candidate to run in Nebraska’s second district."

Ashford tells News Channel Nebraska he refuses to get involved in personal attacks that take the "eye off the ball." According to Ashford, 2018 is about electing someone who will work across the aisle and solve problems —such as guns— that are "killing the country." According to Blue America's endorsement of Eastman, her campaign has already knocked on 25,000 doors (that number courtesy of Eastman). No public polling is available on the race but at least one key Democratic source, not formally tied to either campaign, tells News Channel Nebraska that Eastman trails Ashford significantly when it comes to name recognition. Follow Joe on Twitter and Facebook Joe Can Be Heard: Wednesday: Fairbury 8:00am KUTT 99.5-FM Thursday: Norfolk 8:10am US92-FM, 8:28 KNEN-AM 94.7, Nebraska City 8:55am KBIE 103.1-FM Friday: Broken Bow “Breakfast Show” KCNI 1280- Friday: Broken Bow “Breakfast Show” KCNI 1280AM/KBBM 95.3-FM. Lincoln 7:10am KLIN 1400-AM