The Eye

Sakalosky, a first-time candidate, told CQ Politics in an interview that his lack of political experience would not be a hindrance.

"Experience comes in two flavors," Sakalosky said. "Do we want D.C. experience, or do we want people from the private sector stepping up to use business experience in the community to create economic opportunities and help solve the problems we're facing? As a small-business owner, I know what it's like to meet payroll and pay the bills. I know the effect of insurance on employees."

Referring to his background in health care -- one of the hottest issues currently being debated nationally -- Sakalosky stated, "Why not look to someone who understands the industry, inside and out?"

Sakalosky also criticized Terry for specific votes that he characterized as straying from conservative principles, such as his support of the financial industry assistance (or "bailout") legislation and a measure to increase fuel-efficiency standards for domestic automakers.

"I looked around at the leadership in our district and across the country on the Republican side," Sakalosky explained, "and I saw I was not being represented by the traditional principles of Ronald Reagan." Sakalosky described the late president and conservative icon as his political role model.

Nonetheless, Sakalosky has not picked an easy target for his political debut. Terry faced primary opponents in 2006 and 2008, and triumphed with about 84 percent of the vote each time. "We've had primary opponents before, and Terry beat them handily," said Dave Boomer, Terry's campaign manager. "We have a lot of excitement on our side this time around as well, and we'll be showing our high level of support as we move forward into the winter and the spring."

Although the 2008 general election saw Terry slip to a career-low 52 percent and a 4 percentage-point margin over Democratic businessman Jim Esch, his advocates in the Republican Party establishment contend that there was a major extenuating circumstance that will not apply in 2010.

Nebraska, typically a Republican stronghold, is one of just two states - Maine is the other - that allots some of its presidential electoral votes based on the results in individual congressional districts. While the statewide vote went strongly for Republican nominee John McCain, Democratic nominee Barack Obama narrowly won the 2nd District vote with a big and well-organized voter turnout push.

It marked the first time since President Lyndon B. Johnson's national landslide in 1964 that a Democratic nominee had captured any part of the state, and the Terry camp argues that this political coup was primarily responsible for their candidate's unusually close outcome on the 2008 ballot.

Sakalosky also appears unlikely to make major inroads among Nebraska Republican Party insiders prior to the meeting this fall at which the state central committee will issue endorsements for the 2010 races.

Referring to Sakalosky, Nebraska Republican Party Chairman Mark Fahleson said, "I welcome Matt to becoming active in the state Republican Party." But, Fahleson added, "I don't anticipate that Lee Terry will not be our candidate coming out of the committee meeting in October."

Sakalosky's campaign says it is unphased by the lack of establishment support. "The Republican Party in Nebraska has been disappointing, but we're only talking about a dozen people," said Lois Akers, Sakalosky's campaign manager. "We don't need 12 establishment people, we need thousands of real people to win this election."

CQ Politics rates the general election in Nebraska's 2nd District as Leans Republican.

To see how all of the 2010 House races are shaping up, check out the CQ Politics' election map.

-- Emma Dumain