OMAHA, Neb. (AP) _ Lack of financial support from the state party has hurt Nebraska Democrats in the past, but the party's executive director says that won't happen this year. Matt Connealy says Democratic candidates always have a touch challenge in the Republican-heavy state, and money is part of it. But Connealy says the party will be more diligent about making sure candidates have the tools to get resources, and he expects the national party will look at Jim Esch and Scott Kleeb. In yesterday's primary, Kleeb won the party's nomination for U.S. Senate. He'll face Mike Johanns, a former U.S. agriculture secretary and Nebraska governor, in the fall. Esch will compete against Republican incumbent Lee Terry in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. Esch nearly beat Terry in 2006, with little political experience or party support.