Mayoral candidates Jim Vokal and Hal Daub announced Wednesday they will not accept campaign contributions or endorsements from Omaha's police and fire unions. Candidate Jim Suttle said he doesn't have a problem with the union money or endorsements.

The reason is one of the toughest issues facing the next mayor will be contract talks with both unions. In past elections, the police and fire union endorsements were important to candidates.

"I will not seek, nor will I accept any campaign contributions from either the police or fire union, not as a candidate and not as mayor,” said Jim Vokal, who did accept help from both unions in his run for the City Council.

"I represent the taxpayers of Omaha, I don't represent the unions and I'm fully aware of what unions can do for a candidate and I'm willing to forego those in the interest of taxpayers."

Part of the decision has been made for him. The fire union is not endorsing a candidate in the primary election.

Earlier this month, Vokal announced his plan to fix the $500 million shortfall in the police and fire pension fund by reducing pension payout, ending spiking and increasing the retirement age to at least 50.

Vokal said that the police and fire unions have the right to publicly support or oppose any candidate they choose, but he would not take any money from unions who support his campaign.

Vokal's announcement Wednesday was followed within hours by one from Hal Daub. "I have accepted their contributions in the past, but we didn't have an unfunded liability like we have today when I was mayor and that wasn't a major issue. We were handling the finances appropriately at the time.”

Daub said his campaign spoke to Aaron Hanson of the Omaha Police Association Tuesday night to notify him of the decision to avoid the public appearance of any conflict of interest.

Candidate Jim Suttle is out of town, but talked to Channel 6 News by phone, saying he welcomes any endorsement saying his campaign is based on working with unions, ethics and trust.

"It's out of that trust that I am perfectly comfortable to taking endorsements and taking donations from anyone in the city. This is their city and I want to be free to represent all people."

"I'm fully aware of what unions can do for a candidate," said Vokal. "I'm willing to forgo those in the interest of taxpayers."

"I want the public to know," said Daub, "that I won't be in a position to be accused of being in anyone's back pocket when it comes to getting this job done."

Channel 6 News asked the police and fire unions for their response. Hanson said anyone asking for an endorsement is given consideration. The fire union has not yet returned our calls for a comment.

Eight years ago in the mayor's race between Daub and Fahey, 100,000 people voted.

Four years later -- there were just 60,000 votes cast in the mayor's race; a 23% turnout.

When there are fewer votes -- special interests, like unions, can play an ever larger role in an election.