Hang on, there's an a election in a couple of weeks

Remember when -- what now seems like ages ago -- I suggested that you keep track of the Nebraska Primary Elections by using a large sheet of paper, a pencil and an eraser to write the names of the gubernatorial and senate candidates and keep track of them?

That list is likely as tattered and torn as the primary itself. But Omaha millionaire, Republican Pete Ricketts, emerged as the Republican winner and Lyons rural activist and former University of Nebraska Regent, Chuck Hassebrook, won the uncontested Democratic race. The two men, and Libertarian Mark G. Elworth, Jr. of Omaha, are on the November 4 ballot. Hassebrook is running with Lincoln businesswoman Jane Raybould (think grocery store chains Russ's Market and Super Saver) as the lieutenant governor candidate and Elworth is running with Scott Zimmerman of Omaha.

Ricketts is running with his second choice for lieutenant governor after incumbent Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann stepped down when a judge issued a restraining order against him on behalf of his sister and he resigned his state post and dropped off the Ricketts' ticket. Ricketts went to the pool of five vanquished Republican gubernatorial nominees and picked the fourth place finisher, State Auditor Mike Foley. Nobody saw that one coming.

Elworth filed suit to prohibit Secretary of State John Gale from taking Heidemann's name off the ballot and replacing it with Foley's. Elworth argued that the deadline to change the ballot had passed. Gale argued, and the court agreed, that having the correct names on the ballot was more important.

Then there's the race for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by former Lincoln mayor turned governor turned U.S. Agriculture Secretary then U.S. Senator Mike Johanns. Ben Sasse, the young and charismatic president of Midland College in Fremont, won the Republican nod to face seasoned attorney and veteran Democrat, David Domina of Omaha. Independents Jim Jenkins of Callaway and Todd F. Watkins of Lincoln petitioned their way onto the ballot.

Jenkins, a Sandhills cattle rancher turned big city businessman and Nebraska restaurantpreneur (think Whiskey Creek steakhouses and Skeeter Barnes BBQ) won the endorsement of the Lincoln Journal Star, a newspaper better known for supporting Democrats.

Speaking of endorsements, the Omaha World-Herald, more often prone to endorsing conservative Republicans, gave its editorial nod to Democrat Brad Ashford in his race against longtime Republican incumbent Second District Congressman Lee Terry. Libertarian Steven Laird of Omaha is also in that race. Ashford, an Independent during his last session as a state senator, switched to the Democratic Party to challenge Terry.

Gov. Dave Heineman tried to insert himself in that race by criticizing Ashford and legislative colleague Sen. Steve Lathrop for being supporters of a good time law, which allows Nebraska prison inmates to earn a one-day sentence reduction for every day of good conduct. Heineman says that situation led to the release of an inmate from Omaha who killed four people within days of his release. Lathrop is leading a special legislative committee that is investigating mistakes by prison administrators that led to the early release of several hundred inmates because officials ignored Nebraska Supreme Court opinions on sentencing guidelines. Lathrop called Heineman's assertions political rhetoric.

Incumbent First District Congressman Jeff Fortenberry faces off against Lincoln attorney Dennis Crawford, a Democrat. Incumbent Third District Congressman Adrian Smith of Gering faces a challenge from Mark Sullivan of Doniphan.

Nebraska voters will also cast ballots in the races for state Auditor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and Treasurer. There are 24 legislative seats open as well as slots on the state Board of Education, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, a number of community college boards and natural resources districts.

Whoever you like in all these races, keep one thing in mind. Your vote counts, so get out there and cast it.