Former Mayor and Congressman Hal Daub has formed an exploratory committee as he considers a bid to run for his old job. Daub says Omaha faces serious financial challenges and needs experienced leadership.

Daub has most recently served on the MECA board which oversees the Qwest Center and other city venues such as the Orpheum Theater. As Mayor, Daub is generally credited with moving riverfront development forward after decades of inaction.

After first winning a special election to fill out the term of P. J. Morgan who resigned, Daub was reelected to a full term. In the later part of his term Daub and the Omaha City Council had a somewhat cantankerous relationship. Several members of that Council and Daub all lost in the ensuing election.

Daub has a Web site up in support of a mayoral bid. The Daub camp can be reached by phone at 339-DAUB.

Omaha will hold municipal elections in May of 2009.

Daub's entry in the race could potentially set up a rematch with Mayor Mike Fahey, a Democrat. Daub lost the 2001 mayoral election to Fahey.

Fahey is considering a bid for a third term.

The mayor says, "I think it's the height of democracy when you have more people involved in any race. I certainly welcome him in. Hal's a good public servant. I think the race will be more interesting with Hal in it."

Several Omaha city councilmen are also considered potential candidates for mayor, as is state Senator Brad Ashford.