Published 10/12/2006
KETV's candidate profile on Congressman Lee Terry.
Rep. Lee Terry Wants 5th Term
OMAHA
, Neb. -- Rep. Lee Terry was sworn in for his first term in U.S. House of Representatives almost eight years ago.
Today, Terry said he's hit his stride on the Capital Hill, and eight years in office have given him the contacts and seasoning he needs to get things done.
"I've passed more bills in the last two to three years than the entire five years before that," Terry said.
Terry is a confident incumbent in a low-key race with Jim Esch where a war of words has not erupted. Terry spent the summer working parade and festival crowds in a push to meet voters face to face.
"We're doing the grassroots. I love grass roots. I love getting in the neighborhoods and knocking on doors," Terry said. "Everyone's on board with securing the border."
Terry said that in Congress, seniority holds a lot a weight.
"But you need to build relationships with people. It's not only getting to know the chairman. 'Oh, Lee, I'll get it done.' That doesn't happen until you build the relationship," Terry said.
Terry is on the House Committee for Energy and Commerce. He said he's proud of bills he's worked on to increase the natural gas supply and double the money spent on energy research.
"In the last energy bill signed by the president, I had four or five of my bills put into that bill," the congressman said.
There is one big difference between him and his opponent -- special-interest money. Esch said he won't accept it. Terry said it doesn't influence him, and contributions from companies are simply a way for them to support a candidate's ideals.
"That's a really naive way to look at the system. So I'm proud of the support I get from employees at Con Agra and Union Pacific and employees of Mutual of Omaha," Terry said.