Omaha council seat opens as councilman is elected to state legislature

A seat on the Omaha City Council is opening up as one member moves to the Nebraska Legislature.

The City of Omaha says with Councilmember Rich Pahls' becoming a member of the Unicameral, he will vacate his seat on the council. City leaders say Pahls will resign as a member of the City Council before he is sworn in as a State Senator on January 6, 2021. The current City Council term runs through June 6, 2021.

On Thursday, City Council President Chris Jerram said, “City Councilmembers congratulate Rich on his election to the state legislature. We will miss Rich’s contributions to the City Council and I know District 5 residents will miss his advocacy for their interests. We believe important work lies ahead for the City Council during the remainder of this term. We believe, too, it is crucial that District 5 residents are represented on the Council and that the city is best served by having a full Council considering key issues.”

The process for filling the vacancy will be as follows:

• Qualified candidates interested in serving the remainder of this Council term must submit a letter describing the candidate’s interest in serving on the Council, along with a resume, to the City Clerk by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2020. Credentials may be mailed, emailed, or hand-delivered to:
  • Elizabeth Butler, City Clerk Omaha/Douglas Civic Center 1819 Farnam Street, Suite LC-1 Omaha, NE 68183
    • Email: cityclerk@cityofomaha.org
• A qualified candidate must be a registered voter and a resident of Council District 5 for at least one year. A map of Council District 5 can be found on the City Council website here
• Eligible candidates’ credentials will be considered by City Councilmembers who may, at each Councilmember’s discretion, interview candidates.
• One or more nominees are expected to be announced by Thursday, December 17, 2020.
• The nominee or nominees will appear on the December 22, 2020 Council agenda, when the Council will vote on the appointment.
• The new City Councilmember will be inaugurated at the January 12, 2021 City Council meeting. The new Councilmember’s term will end June 6, 2021.

Questions about the process may be referred to Council Chief of Staff Jim Dowding at (402) 444-6298. Questions that potential candidates may have about their status as a qualified elector in District 5 may be referred to the Douglas County Election Commission at (402) 444-8683.

(Photo by City of Omaha)