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A 26-year-old political novice is entering the 2017 Omaha mayor’s race with a proposal to bring an NFL team to Omaha.

Taylor Royal, a Republican accountant who is an Omaha native, said he is on his way to collecting the 1,000 signatures necessary to appear on the April primary ballot.

He proposes that the city build a football stadium and either petition the NFL to create a new team or recruit a current team to move to Omaha.

Royal believes that a team would broaden the tax base and create excitement in the city.

His other proposals include privatizing more of the city’s public works projects, including street maintenance.

And he said he would work from north Omaha at least twice a week, bringing business and other leaders to the area.

He’ll have a tough battle to gain voters’ attention with two political heavyweights also on the ballot.

Incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert, a Republican, is running for re-election. Democratic State Sen. Heath Mello is challenging her for the seat.