Heineman should not ignore stem-cell issue

The next Regent representing the 35 counties of Western Nebraska has a good chance of being selected by one vote -- that of Gov. Dave Heineman.

That's because the person he choses to replace disgraced David Hergert should have an advantage if he or she garners enough petitions to appear on the ballot for the fall election.

Southwest Nebraska should be proud of those who have thrown their hats in the ring; they include State Sen. Tom Baker of Trenton -- recently term-limited out of his position in the Legislature, Stewart Minnick of Cambridge and former State Board of Education member and legislative candidate Kathy Wilmot of Beaver City.

We regret that Dennis Berry has withdrawn his name from consideration; he could have represented the area well. However, we do understand his desire to "remain focused on trying to maintain property taxes at a relatively low level and work on economic development for the City of McCook," as he told the North Platte Telegraph.

Berry, McCook Mayor, said he supports Sen. Baker.

Naturally, Heineman said he was looking for a "capable, ethical candidate" to replace Heineman, who was impeached by the Legislature and convicted of manipulating campaign-finance laws during his 2004 campaign and then lying to cover it up. He was suspended from office after the Legislature's April 12 vote.

It took a reporter to get to the heart of the matter; when pressed, Heineman said he will look for a candidate who shares his position on stem cell research. President Bush shares that position, vetoing a measure to expand stem-cell research with federal funding.

We don't favor a litmus test for the Regent position. One-issue candidates, whether on the local, state or national level, don't generally serve their constituencies well.

But Gov. Dave Heineman is nothing if not politically astute, and he knows that the stem cell issue played a major role in Hergert's defeat of longtime, respected Regent Don Blank by a significant margin.

In this case, the governor would be remiss in ignoring the issue.

Naturally, we hope the nominee is from Southwest Nebraska, and is successful in standing for election in the fall.

The stem cell issue -- like the many other important issues facing the University of Nebraska -- deserves the full attention of the electorate.