Osborne Rules Out Run For Senate In 2006

[Freddie Stubbs]

By SCOTT BAUER
Associated Press Writer

LINCOLN, Neb. -- A run for governor is on the table for Rep. Tom Osborne, R-Neb., but he said Thursday that seeking the Senate in 2006 is out.

Osborne said rampant speculation about his political plans fueled his decision to announce now his intention not to challenge Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson.

"I thought this Senate thing had taken on a life of its own," he said. "I thought before people got all worked up about it I better put the thought to rest. ... I had never seriously considered it."

Osborne's political future has been under the spotlight ever since Republican Gov. Mike Johanns was nominated last week by President Bush to be U.S. agriculture secretary.

more: http://www.yankton.net/stories/121004/new_20041210014.shtml

This has been a pretty good month for Nelson. His two most formidable potential opponents are not going to run against him.