RJ Neary

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

RJ Neary

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 11, 2021

Education

Bachelor's

University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 1975

Personal

Birthplace

Armstrong, Iowa

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Chairman & president of Investors Realty

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

RJ Neary ran for election for Mayor of Omaha in Nebraska. He lost in the general election on May 11, 2021.

Neary completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Neary received a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1975. He owned the Howard Street Tavern and was a real estate broker before founding Investors Realty, a commercial real estate company, in 1987. Neary was also the chair of the Omaha Planning Board and a member of the Urban Land Institute and Omaha Habitat for Humanity.

Elections

2021

See also: Mayoral election in Omaha, Nebraska (2021)

General election

General election for Mayor of Omaha

Incumbent Jean Stothert defeated RJ Neary in the general election for Mayor of Omaha on May 11, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)	64.4	62,646
		RJ Neary (Nonpartisan)	34.8	33,822
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	859

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 97,327
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Mayor of Omaha

The following candidates ran in the primary for Mayor of Omaha on April 6, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jean Stothert (Nonpartisan)	56.6	47,976
✔		RJ Neary (Nonpartisan)	15.5	13,166
		Jasmine Harris (Nonpartisan)	14.2	12,002
		Kimara Snipes (Nonpartisan)	8.8	7,472
	Submit photo	Mark Gudgel (Nonpartisan)	4.8	4,087
	Submit photo	Jerome Wallace Sr. (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	0
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	106

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 84,809
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2021

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

RJ Neary completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Neary's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Omaha is a city rooted in strong family values, hard work, and candor. Prior to moving to Omaha at age ten, RJ lived in Armstong Iowa on a farm with his five siblings. RJ learned the importance of these values quickly through his chores on the farm, his paperboy route in Dundee, and his own lawn mowing service throughout high school. He then graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and shortly after, opened his own bar in Omaha, continuing his journey of entrepreneurship. RJ started at Investors Realty in 1987 and is still there over 30 years later. RJ attributes his success to his dedication, honesty, and the team of good people that support him. He has been happily married to his wife, Liz, since 1985. Together they have two children, Nell and Nora, as well as two dogs, Sailor and Cade. In his spare time, RJ is an avid biker and traveler.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Omaha is a great city but it struggles with racial inequity. Racial inequities have been embedded in housing and the economy long before COVID-19, although COVID has made the situation even more challenging. Redlining, racialized zoning, segregation, predatory lending and exclusions in federal programs are examples of public policies that have produced the racial disparities that permeate housing and economic policy today. Omaha can do better and I am committed to meaningful racial equity as your next mayor.

• Addressing the changing climate should be a priority for Omaha. The United Nations estimates that nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. It is imperative that we leave Omaha and all our cities better for the next generation. A healthier community and a city working toward a sustainable future will also help retain and attract young families and young workers.

• The Coronavirus pandemic demonstrated even more clearly the direct relationship between economic and public health in Omaha. Just over half of Americans polled in September 2020 by the Pew Research Center reported that they expect their lives will still be changed in major ways after the pandemic. We need a plan that includes future stimulus packages and funding and we need Greater Omaha Chamber and city-led partnerships between Omaha financial institutions and small business owners. This targeted reset plan does just that and will ensure that Omaha’s economy bounces back faster, stronger, fairer, and healthier.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

76% of those living in poverty live in poor quality housing or pay more than 30% of their income towards housing. Priority needs to be on reconnecting Omaha's neighborhoods and investing in and improving North and South Omaha that have been left behind. This plan will work to eliminate substandard housing, create affordable housing at a faster pace, rebuild neighborhoods that are blighted, measure neighborhoods before they dilapidated, and make sure that neighborhood associations in our diverse communities have more of a voice in proposals.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I am a big fan of Bobby Kennedy. He was inspiring and committed to bring all types of folks under the tent of the Democratic party. He was passionate about equity, justice, and opportunity.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

My favorite recent political book has been _Why We're Polarized_ by Ezra Klein.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I think its important for a mayor to NOT be a polarizing figure, one who settles scores instead of bringing people together. I think our next mayor must be someone who can work with diverse constituencies to solve problems and get things done.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a problem-solver who can bring people together to get things done.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

We need to focus on a prosperous, safe, and sustainable future for Omaha.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope to move the city of Omaha forward and make it more equitable for all residents.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember JFK's assassination like it was yesterday. I was 10 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I opened the Howard Street Tavern after I graduated from College, and ran that for four years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

A prayer book

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Imagine by John Lennon

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I always want to work harder to benefit our community.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

I see myself as a problem-solver. I don't like temporary fixes; my job as mayor will be to identify problems and put solutions into place immediately--working with key stakeholders--with a focus on equity and sustainability.

Mayors have many responsibilities, which vary from city to city. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your city?

I think our city needs a vision on key areas like equity/diversity, climate, public services and transportation. My job as mayor will be develop and promote a vision for those key areas and hire the right people to get it done, and then measure their success.

If the mayor in your city is a member of the city council and there's a city manager appointed to handle the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe should be the mayor's top priority in office?

N/A

If the mayor in your city is not a member of the city council and oversees the day-to-day administration of the city government, what do you believe is the ideal relationship between the mayor and city council?

I do see it as a partnership between the mayor and the city council. In Omaha, the mayor has a lot of power, but city council members bring a lot to the table in terms of diverse shared experiences.

What do you love most about your city?

I love Omaha because we have had strong neighborhoods. I want to be part of re-energizing our neighborhoods and reconnecting them.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

I think our big challenges are (1) economically recovering from COVID, especially restaurants and small businesses; (2) racial inequities; (3) streets; and (4) climate.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

Ideally, there's a partnership between Omaha, it's elected state legislators, and the governor in a way that benefits Omaha and its citizens.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

Hopefully, we can maximize the resources from federal government to benefit Omaha and its citizens.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I love Irish jokes

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Neary's campaign website stated the following:

“	RJ's Pathway to the Future Omaha needs a leader with vision. A leader that looks to the future and prepares our great city for the next generation. I believe that I am that leader, and I ask for your support. Under my leadership, I will make Omaha a city of the future. I will correct the city services, and make sure that we get the basics done right. I will improve our processes and bring new programs and initiatives that provide Omahans with the changes that they want to see in our city. My Pathway to the Future will serve as what you can expect from me as the next mayor of Omaha. My Pathway includes my plans, my commitments and my promises for the future of Omaha. My Pathway to the Future includes plans for: COVID Reset Plan The Coronavirus pandemic demonstrated even more clearly the direct relationship between economic and public health in Omaha. Just over half of Americans polled in September 2020 by the Pew Research Center reported that they expect their lives will still be changed in major ways after the pandemic. We need a plan that includes future stimulus packages and funding and we need Greater Omaha Chamber and city-led partnerships between Omaha financial institutions and small business owners. This targeted reset plan does just that and will ensure that Omaha’s economy bounces back faster, stronger, fairer, and healthier. As mayor I will: Appoint a pandemic czar who will provide key metrics for Omaha’s COVID recovery and coordinate with UNMC, federal government, public health officials, academic institutions, employers, and other key stakeholders to provide all Omahan’s with access to resources for COVID-19 recovery Reallocate 5% of the restaurant tax into the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote Omaha attractions for 2 years up to $4,000,000.00 Advocate from the mayor's office for any and all future stimulus funding to include cities of Omaha's size to the direct city funding criteria, and allocate the funds properly to local businesses and toward rent and utility relief programs Develop a small business recovery task force that will build a city-led partnership between Greater Omaha Chamber, Omaha financial institutions, and Omaha's commercial property landlords that will support the growth of local restaurants, start-ups theaters, mom and pop shops, etc., are not left behind and are able to thrive in 2021 and beyond Climate and Sustainability Plan Addressing the changing climate should be a priority for Omaha. The United Nations estimates that nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. It is imperative that we leave Omaha and all our cities better for the next generation. A healthier community and a city working toward a sustainable future will also help retain and attract young families and young workers. As mayor I will: Implement a Climate Action Plan for Omaha in my first 12 months Appoint a Sustainability Officer to my cabinet Become a member of Climate Mayors - a bipartisan network of mayors showing climate leadership Join OPPD’s net-zero carbon goal for electricity generation and work with them to set goals for carbon reduction, responsible growth, and waste reduction by 2050 Build a more sustainable transportation system and decrease the city's wasteful consumption Increase commercial recycling and access to recycling in all areas of the city, and increase the types of materials accepted Equity Plan Omaha is a great city but it struggles with racial inequity. Racial inequities have been embedded in housing and the economy long before COVID-19, although COVID has made the situation even more challenging. Redlining, racialized zoning, segregation, predatory lending and exclusions in federal programs are examples of public policies that have produced the racial disparities that permeate housing and economic policy today. Omaha can do better and I am committed to meaningful racial equity as your next mayor. As mayor I will: Develop a 4 year plan to expand and correct city services so that they are equitable and accessible to all parts of Omaha Elevate the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Manager to a cabinet-level position: This will ensure all major decisions are made through the lens of equity and will help build a more diverse City Hall that reflects all of Omaha. Produce a report card on the city’s progress toward equity Directly address the impact of redlining in communities of color through targeted housing programs and incentives that provide a pathway to homeownership and rebuilds our struggling neighborhoods Commit to hosting bi-monthly “Community Conversations” throughout the city where the community can voice their concerns to the mayor Work to remedy inequities in public health through partnerships with Douglas County Health Department, UNMC, OneWorld, Charles Drew and others Talent Retention Plan The City of Omaha is a great place to live and to raise a family, with numerous amenities and a good quality of life. However, over the past eight years, Omaha has struggled to attract and retain young people, especially young professionals. While many mid-size cities have successfully drawn talent from bigger coastal cities, under the current mayor Omaha has unfortunately not kept pace with places like Milwaukee, Cleveland, or even Kansas City in the competition for the next generation. I am committed to reversing brain drain and will work tirelessly to improve our city so that it attracts and retains new talent. As mayor I will: Offer grants of $5-10,000 to young individuals who relocate to Omaha from cities like Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles Empower and appoint younger people to boards that will shape the future of Omaha Invest in and promote multi-modal transportation, creative neighborhoods and opportunities for younger developers, businesses and creatives. Improve coordination with relevant players (business, academic, medicine, entrepreneur, tech) benefitting from the presence of talent in Omaha Identify and support key driving sectors for retaining/attracting talent, and report on metrics Mitigate/remove structural impediments/barriers to attracting talent Integrate these efforts with Cabinet-level Equity Officer to ensure growth of young professionals of color and LGBTQIA professionals in Omaha Public Safey Plan To create a city that is safe for everyone, we must have a focus on the root causes of crime and violence and provide community-based public health and youth development programs. To rebuild the trust of all communities in our Police Department, we must have an open dialogue between our communities and our Police as well as reform and accountability. Omaha’s fire department needs to be fully staffed and needs the necessary equipment to keep response times low and provide the best care and protection during emergencies. And our police officers need additional training and resources to do their job most effectively. As mayor I will: Increase evidence-based de-escalation and anti-bias training and incorporate it into the policy academy education Roll out a crisis intervention program that will send social services unit to assist emergency responders for non-violent 911 calls ​ Increase support for P.A.C.E. programs and other community-building projects in Omaha Invest in trauma-based crime prevention resources for Omaha youth City Services & Roads Plan City services from trash pickup to snow removal to sidewalk repair should be distributed across Omaha equitably. You should always count on your trash getting picked up and your snow being removed effectively and efficiently. The streets crisis has cost the city hundreds of millions of dollars, and an Omaha-World Herald analysis revealed more needs to be done. Only 125 miles of streets are resurfaced every year according to the OWH, half of what is needed. In 2015 the World Herald reported that roads were worsening. I will enforce more equitable cost-sharing solutions that are innovative, and does not increase tax burdens of the citizens of Omaha and fixes our streets for good. As mayor I will: Build better streets by implementing cost-friendly solutions to fixing deteriorating roads that use sustainable and long lasting concrete to build better streets Increase traffic flow and critical infrastructure by reorienting the overall budget to divert wasteful spending into innovative technology Increase the number of recycling centers across Omaha Initiate a 4 year plan to repair and fill in gaps of sidewalks on a consistent basis to improve city walkability and to minimize the Omahans walking in streets Ensure city services are distributed equitably across Omaha Employ best available technology for snow removal to minimize disruption for businesses, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles Ensure that sustainability best practices are incorporated into all major roads projects moving forward Neighborhoods As Mayor I will: Create 1,600 additional affordable housing units in the first 4 years Empower neighborhood associations, for example changing the $250,000 neighborhood snow-watching contracts from engineers to One Omaha Initiate innovative city-led programs that provide incentives and second mortgages to spark interest in neighborhoods that need it and create homeownership opportunities Provision more available and entitled sites for workforce housing units Revitalize targeted communities with HILC (High Impact Low Cost) projects every year Create a partnership with Omaha Realtors for an initiative that will flag and provide attention to houses that are eligible for renovation and city-support Provide support to current programs that renovate existing housing stocks in order to keep elderly and low-income homeowners in their homes	”
—RJ Neary's campaign website (2021)

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