State Sen. Deb Fischer files to run for US Senate with Secretary of State John Gale

State Sen. Deb Fischer has made it official, signing paperwork in the Secretary of State’s office to run as a Republican for United States Senate.

Fischer filed after the filing of Attorney General Jon Bruning and state Treasurer Don Stenberg, who have been firing salvos at each other over who is the “true conservative” in the Republican primary.

“It’s an interesting question, but I think it’s kind of off-base,” Fischer told reporters gathered outside the Secretary of State’s office in the Capitol. “The question should be who has a record of being a conservative? Who has that proven conservative record? And I think that’s important.”

Fischer asserted she has built a conservative record during her nearly eight years in the Unicameral.

Fischer struck some of the same themes others in the Republican have struck. She said the country is in a crisis and the United States needs effective leadership in Washington to cut spending and balance the federal budget. Fischer said Congress also needs to grow the economy and grow jobs. Fischer unveiled her own economic plan recently.

Fischer stated her background as a state senator, a wife and a mother makes her candidacy stand out in an increasingly crowded Republican field. She said a return to politics of Democrat Bob Kerrey would increase national attention, but wouldn’t affect the outcome. Fischer said she senses that Nebraskans want a change. Sen. Ben Nelson, the incumbent Democrat, decided to retire from public office.

The deadline to file for the May 15th primary election in the Secretary of State’s office is February 15th, except for incumbents who have until March 1st to file.

AUDIO: U.S. Senate candidate Deb Fischer announces her candidacy after officially filing. [1:30]

Republican rivals in Nebraska’s U.S. Senate race are ratcheting up rhetoric as they blast each other.

Attorney General Jon Bruning

This week, candidate and state Attorney General Jon Bruning said he wouldn’t be taking part in all of the debates because he was busy with his job. Bruning said one of his primary opponents “ought to go try to do his job.”

Now Don Stenberg, the state treasurer, is responding to the comment by asking when Bruning will be getting to work.

“Almost ten months ago, I wrote a letter to the attorney general, asking for the attorney general’s opinion involving some state funds,” Stenberg says. “Now, more than nine months later, he still has not provided that requested opinion.”

Stenberg also points out to Bruning’s lack of participation at this year’s State Records Board meetings. Stenberg says Bruning did not attend any of them, and Stenberg thinks he knows why.

“The real reason he doesn’t have time to do his job or go to debates are the 24 businesses that he’s become a part-owner of since becoming the attorney general.”

Treasurer Don Stenberg

The debate about the debates got started after Stenberg says he was sent multiple requests to participate in candidate face-offs, including the February 11 Republican Liberty Caucus in Kearney.

He expects other candidates to take part, including state Senator Deb Fischer of Valentine, investment advisor Pat Flynn of Schuyler, and Omaha truck driver Spencer Zimmerman.

Earlier this week, Bruning said of Stenberg and the pending series of debates: “We’ve got a lot of time before the May 15th primary and I don’t see any need to have two dozen debates. We’ve received two dozen requests and we’re just not going to do that. We’ve gotta’ have other things go on in this state, including me trying to do my job as attorney general and maybe Don ought to go try to do his job as treasurer a little bit.”

Tyson Havranek, KHAS, Hastings

United States Senate candidate Jon Bruning’s campaign has announced he raised more than $400,000 in the 4th Quarter of 2011, increasing the total raised by his campaign to $2.8 million. The campaign reports $1.7 million cash on hand.

The campaign of candidate Don Stenberg has announced raising more than $250,000 in the last quarter of last year, increasing the campaign’s war chest to $363,985. The Stenberg campaign also points out that the Senate Conservative Fund run by U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint is spending $300,000 on advertising in support of Stenberg’s candidacy.

Bruning is the state attorney general. Stenberg is state treasurer. Both have officially filed as candidates in the Republican United States Senate primary May 15th. Spencer Zimmerman of Omaha has also filed as a Republican. Filing closes February 15th for anyone holding a public office. New filers have until March 1st to file.

State Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine and Schuyler businessman Pat Flynn are also running for U.S. Senate, yet have not officially filed. Incumbent Democrat Ben Nelson has decided to retire from public office. Former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey is considering running for the seat.