Mayor Jean Stothert got a big endorsement Monday morning, from a former challenger, in her bid for re-election.
Former candidate Taylor Royal officially announced at a press conference that he would be throwing his support behind fellow Republican, Stothert, in the general election.
Royal received roughly eleven percent of the city's votes, about 6,200 votes, in last Tuesday's primary election.
Those 6,200 votes could make a big difference in the race for Omaha mayor considering only 1,343 votes separated Stothert from former State Senator Heath Mello.
Royal says he hopes that those who supported him, will now back Stothert. "It is important to take a stand and support the candidate in this race who closely associates with my philosophies and my beliefs and who I believe has the right vision for Omaha's future."
He says that although Stothert has different views on some policies, Royal believes she is the right person for the job. "To every conservative voter here in Omaha, the choice in the general election could not be clearer, vote Mayor Jean Stothert on May 9th."
Stothert says she is pleased to get Royal's endorsement, and hopes that voters will take Royal's advice and vote for her in the general election. "I am thrilled to have Taylor's endorsement and support. Taylor is a strong conservative and I am asking this morning for every one of his supporters to come to our campaign and support our effort to move Omaha forward."
Royal's endorsement comes hot on the heels of Mello's announcement that Senator Bernie Sanders will be coming to Omaha April 20th to show his support in Mello's bid for mayor.
The general election is Tuesday, May 9th.