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Scott Kleeb: Yale PhD in History (studied under John Lewis Gaddis) runs for US Congress in Nebraska as a Democrat

As a fourth generation Nebraskan, Scott Kleeb has deep roots in three great traditions of this state: agriculture, patriotism and public service.

Scott's great-grandfather, Albert Kleeb, was born in a dug-out outside of Broken Bow, Nebraska, before the turn of the century. He once hiked three days to earn 20 ewes and a dollar in exchange for his farm goods. This windfall was to be the origins of the Kleeb family farm and ranch, which stood outside of Broken Bow for nearly 100 years. It was here, listening to his grandfather's homesteading stories - tales of neighbors coming together to build a new home, or to dig a well - that Scott came to cherish the values and traditions of Nebraska. And it was here, as he saw the impact of government investments in rural electrification, highways and agricultural infrastructure, that he learned how government can help change lives for the better....

At college, Scott wasted no time getting back to his Plain State roots. He worked as a ranch hand in Eastern Colorado and Nebraska during summers and vacations, and even became a bull-rider on the rodeo team. During this period, Scott watched with growing alarm as the consolidation of farms and ranches left large sections of countryside depopulated. He saw the vibrant rural communities he remembered from his youth lose businesses, families and - in some cases - their very identity. By now, his family's ranch had itself been sold and consolidated into a larger operation. But some members of the Kleeb family continued their involvement in ranching as part of the McGinn Ranch Company, and Scott became an active part of that ranch's operations. (Scott on Agriculture)

Determined to help reverse rural decline, Scott set his sights on a career in public service. He became president of the local chapter of College Democrats and served as a lead campus coordinator for Gene Nichol's campaign for the United States Senate. After graduating summa cum laude, he applied and was accepted to graduate school at Yale University—a school long recognized for its pioneering research in the issues of the American West. Recognizing that the health of Plain State agriculture today is tightly linked to political and economic developments around the world, Scott pursued a Masters Degree in International Relations. For his doctoral dissertation, he focused on the history of American cattle ranching. Most of his research was done from the back of a pick-up, as he traveled through every state west of the Mississippi, listening to the stories of farmers, ranchers and small-town workers. (Scott on Working Families)...

NEWS RELEASE 7-1-06

On the strength of your contributions, a Democratic candidate has jumped to a strong early lead in campaign funds for the first time in the history of 3rd district congressional races.
 
The Omaha World Herald reported Friday that Scott Kleeb has an estimated $277,069.22 cash-on-hand, compared to an estimated $105,000 cash-on-hand for his Republican opponent Adrian Smith. They reported that more than $80,000 of Smith's total cash-on-hand was raised through his Grand Island Fundraiser with Vice President Dick Cheney.
 
“We’re very happy with this result, which represents the grassroots contributions of Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike,” Kleeb for Congress Campaign Manager Ryan Hughes said Monday. “I think people recognize that Scott Kleeb offers an independent and articulate voice in support of rural economies, alternative energies, local control of schools, and improved access to health care, among other important issues.”
 
“In talking to 3rd district voters, one thing you hear again and again is the need for an independent voice in Congress,” Hughes added. “A lot of people have been turned off by Adrian Smith’s inexplicable decision to take $400,000 from the Club for Growth special interest group -- a group that wants to abolish the department of agriculture.”
 
But make no mistake, the Club for Growth knows they have nothing to gain from an independent 3rd district congressman. They can triple Adrian Smith's campaign war chest overnight and think nothing of it. And that is surely what they will do when they learn that Adrian is trailing Scott nearly 3-to-1.
To make a donation and stand up to D.C. special interests, go to: http://www.scottkleeb.com
"Can You Repeat That Please?"
 
Our phones have been ringing incessantly as news media around the state -- most of whom expected to find Adrian Smith well ahead at this juncture -- race to cover this unexpected development. On Monday, Scott gave interviews to a dozen radio stations and two TV stations. Tomorrow morning, Scott will give a live interview on the program Midwest Opinions starting at 7:35 Mountain Time (the interview will be simulcast in the Ogallala area on AM930 and Hot Country 106.5FM).
 
Scott has emphasized that you don't get where we are today by appealing to narrow interests.
 
"Nebraskans are looking for an independent voice in Congress," he said Monday. "They want someone who can speak for Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike. They want someone who will take a good idea and run with it -- no matter where it comes from. And they want someone who will stand up to special interests, no matter how powerful they may be.
 
"That's what it means to represent the 3rd district of Nebraska."
 
Now is not the time to rest! We are in control of this race. Let's stay in control. Please consider a contribution of $20, $50 or $100 today.
 
To make a donation, go to: http://www.scottkleeb.com
 
Fueling the Future
 
Scott completed his "Energy Independence Tour" with a stop at the Sutherland Ethanol Plant and a tour, yesterday, of the construction site for a new ethanol plant in Ord. The Sutherland plant is one of the oldest in the district, but plant manager Troy Gavin spoke with pride about how he and his team have transformed it to one of the most efficient plants around. Standing next to Gavin was plant engineer Trampas Osborne. "Everybody who works here has got a little heart, blood and soul in this place," Osborne said.
 
The Kleeb Campaign wants to do its part to support the ethanol industry. We would like to lease an E85 campaign vehicle to transport out campaign team and volunteers around the district from now until November. But we need your help. To lease the vehicle and set aside money for fuel, we have set a target of raising $8,500 by July 25th.  Help us fuel the future of this campaign and the future of the 3rd district. Contribute what you can today.

Read entire article at Kleeb Campaign Website