Linehan

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) _ Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel's former chief of staff is endorsing Democrat Jim Esch in Nebraska's 2nd District House race. Lou Ann Linehan was Hagel's top aide for years and has been involved in Republican politics for more than 20 years. She served a short stint as executive director of the state party in 2006, taking a leave of absence from Hagel's office to try to bolster the Senate campaign of Republican Pete Ricketts.

Esch is running against incumbent Republican Lee Terry for the second time. In 2006, he lost by 9 percentage points. Linehan says Esch will put the interests of Nebraska and the nation first. Hagel's wife, Lilibet, a Republican, made news recently for endorsing Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Hagel hasn't made a presidential endorsement.