Jon Bruning

Nebraska’s attorney general is being fined for violating campaign finance laws.

Attorney General Jon Bruning has already agreed to pay the $19,000 fine imposed by the Federal Election Commission.

Among the allegations, the FEC says Bruning broke the rules during his run last year for the U.S. Senate, including not filing his paperwork within the deadline.

Bruning is a Republican and the initial complaint was filed with the FEC by the Nebraska Democratic Party.

The Democrats also took issue with how Bruning created and used his “exploratory committee.”

Bruning lost the GOP primary last May to Deb Fischer, who went on to win the Senate seat following Democrat Ben Nelson’s retirement.

Former Republican candidate for United States Senate, Pat Flynn of Schuyler, has died.

A statement posted on the Pat Flynn for Senate Facebook page states Flynn lost his battle with cancer over the weekend:

First off, we would like to thank all of you for the love and support you’ve provided Pat Flynn over the last couple of years both in his race and his efforts in the betterment of our country.

We are sad to announce that Pat passed away over the weekend from cancer. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. We ask that you honor Pat by continuing his fight for our country!

Flynn waged an unsuccessful grassroots campaign for United States Senate, finishing last in the crowded Republican Primary field last year behind the winner Deb Fischer as well as Attorney General Jon Bruning and state Treasurer Don Stenberg.

Flynn was 54.

Congressman Adrian Smith says he’s happy right where he is

Smith, a Republican, says he has no plans to run for higher office, either the United States Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Mike Johanns or the open governor’s seat.

“I like my current job. I’m not anxious to run for the Senate. We’ve got a lot of work to do here in the House and, I think ultimately, we’ll probably see some really good people toss their name in for both governor and U.S. Senate,” Smith tells Nebraska Radio Network.

Smith gives a very short answer when pressed about whether he is considering any other offices, simply saying “No”.

Smith says he likes the work he has on the Ways and Means Committee and co-chairing the bipartisan Rural Congressional Caucus.

Congressman Lee Terry says he has plenty to do in representing the Omaha area in Congress and isn’t thinking about running for higher office. At least, not yet.

“So, I’m focused on that right now. We’ll see how things lie a little later in the year,” Terry tells Nebraska Radio Network.

Terry, a Republican, says some have talked with him about the United States Senate and Governor’s race.

“Oh, sure, people have inquired here and there, but the reality is I’m just focused on doing the job and frankly for the Senate position there’s no one who is going to even look at that until Gov. Heineman makes his decision,” Terry replies.

The governor has stated that he is considering running for Senate to replace Sen. Mike Johanns, who is retiring.