Published 11/29/2006
Congressman Lee Terry shows his appreciation to Nebraska's Second Congressional District.
BY JOSEPH MORTON
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU
WASHINGTON - Some people send thank-you cards to express their gratitude.
U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., is going with billboards.
While most of the political yard signs have been taken down, Terry has one last message for the voters of Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
He's putting up 17 billboards this week, featuring his smiling face and the quote "Thank you for your trust." The ads are more than 10 feet tall and more than 22 feet wide.
Terry said that in a bad year to be a Republican incumbent, he is grateful to be going back to Washington.
"A lot of people stuck with me, and I just wanted to say thanks," Terry said.
The billboards will be up for the next several weeks in Omaha, Bellevue and Elkhorn.
Terry said he decided not to get the largest billboards that are along the Interstate because they are too expensive. The total cost for the in-town billboards will be about $9,000.
Terry was re-elected Nov. 7 to his fifth term, defeating Democratic challenger Jim Esch.
Esch, who has said he would try for the seat again in 2008, ran a relatively low-cost campaign that featured advertising on bus benches.
He called the Terry billboards "intriguing" and said they represent a pretty expensive thank you.
"I wish I had enough money to do 17 billboards," Esch said. "Maybe next time, I will."
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