Sen. Fulton to run for treasurer

Omaha World-Herald | By Robynn Tysver on October 8th, 2009

Make it two Republican contenders for state treasurer.

State Sen. Tony Fulton climbed into the ring today, saying he wants to succeed Shane Osborn in the State Treasurer’s Office.

The Lincoln businessman is the first candidate to officially get into the race, but he is not the first to make an announcement. Former Attorney General Don Stenberg has said he plans to run, but that he does not plan to formally announce until next year.

Stenberg has created a campaign committee and has begun raising money.

Fulton said he realizes it may be a tough task to take on a veteran politicians like Stenberg, but he says he plans to run his own race.

“I have great respect for Don Stenberg. But, I’m not running against him. I’m running for the Office of State Treasurer,” he said.

He also said he plans to run a grassroots campaign, with an emphasis on the shoe leather. “I’m going to get out and hustle. And share my passion and my vision,” Fulton said.

Both Fulton and Stenberg are Republicans, setting the stage for a primary fight. So far, no Democrat has gotten into the race.

Democrat Scott Kleeb, a former candidate for U.S. Senate, said in a recent telephone interview that he is busy running a new business venture. He also indicated he had no intention at mounting a statewide race at this time.

Fulton, 37, was appointed to serve in the State Legislature in 2007 to replace then-State Sen. Mike Foley. He won his own election in 2008. Under state term limits, he can’t serve in the Legislature beyond 2012.

“From every corner of the state, in cities large and small, the consistent message I hear from Nebraskans is that they want a government that works for them,” Fulton said.

Fulton is a mechanical engineer and runs a business in Lincoln called Guardian Angels Homecare.

He has made a name for himself in the State Legislature as a staunch opponent of abortion. This year, he managed to get a bill passed that requires doctors to display an ultrasound image of a fetus so a woman awaiting an abortion could choose whether or not to view it.

Fulton said Thursday that he will work for transparency, responsibility and accountability in state government.

The State Treasurer’s Office oversees the state’s checkbook. It also runs the state’s College Savings Plan, which allows parents and others to invest in a child’s higher education.

“There is much to be proud of and yet, there remains opportunities to be even better,” Fulton said.