Nebraska state senator announces departure from the Democrats to join the GOP, potentially influencing changes to election laws in favor of former President Donald Trump.
State Senator Mike McDonnell made a significant announcement to the press on Wednesday, declaring, “I am pleased to announce that I have officially registered as a Republican in the state of Nebraska.” This decision comes after being affiliated with the Democratic party for over three decades, since 1984.
The stage is set for a potential showdown in November between Democratic incumbent President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, who is widely considered the presumptive nominee for the 2024 GOP presidential race.
Most of Nebraska has typically leaned towards conservative voting patterns, but due to the unique structure of the state’s Electoral College, Democrats have managed to secure some of Nebraska’s electoral votes in previous presidential elections.
McDonnell attributed his decision to switch parties to the Nebraska Democratic Party’s response to his anti-abortion stance.
“I pleaded with the Democratic Party in Douglas County to acknowledge and honor my pro-life stance, as well as my affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church. My beliefs are deeply rooted in these values,” McDonnell expressed. “Regrettably, instead of showing respect, the Douglas County Democrats chose to penalize me for my convictions.”
“They told me that I couldn’t participate and be a delegate, and that they wouldn’t share their party resources,” he explained. “Despite that, I have remained steadfast in my pro-life voting. The state Democratic Party chose to censure me, but I have not wavered in my commitment to vote pro-life.”
In March, the Nebraska Democratic Party censured McDonnell, criticizing his voting records for their perceived impact on reproductive rights and transgender rights in Nebraska.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, emphasized their commitment to advocating for reproductive freedom and the human rights of the LGBTQ community. Kleeb clarified that the decision to censure Senator McDonnell was not based on his status as a pro-life Catholic.
“We made our decision by reaffirming our party’s fundamental principles, which aim to safeguard women’s autonomy in making health choices and ensure that politicians do not interfere in our personal healthcare decisions. We greatly appreciate Senator McDonnell’s ongoing efforts in advocating for unions and his dedication to preserving a fair electoral vote system within our state.”
McDonnell’s decision suggests that Nebraska might undergo a significant transformation, as Republican leaders, including Governor Jim Pillen, have been advocating for a shift towards a winner-takes-all approach in distributing the state’s Electoral College votes.
Nebraska’s unique method of splitting its electoral votes by Congressional district, which is currently shared only with Maine, could potentially be changed to align with the majority of states.
Former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden both managed to secure a share of Nebraska’s electoral votes in the 2008 and 2020 elections, respectively. Looking ahead to the highly contested 2024 election, Republicans are worried that even the acquisition of a single electoral vote by Biden in Nebraska could tip the scales and determine whether Trump emerges as the victor or not.
Advocates believe that this move would streamline Nebraska’s voice in presidential elections, reflecting a unified stance instead of a divided electorate. On the other hand, critics perceive it as a strategic maneuver to further strengthen Republican dominance in a state that has demonstrated pockets of Democratic support.
Changing Nebraska’s Election Laws
Pillen expressed his endorsement for a bill proposed by Republicans to implement the change, stating that it aligns with the original intentions of the founders. He emphasized that allocating all Electoral College delegates to a single candidate would guarantee that the state presents a united front in presidential elections.
In a tweet on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump expressed his backing for the bill and applauded the governor for his courageous leadership. He also urged Nebraskans to respectfully request their Senators to support this significant legislation.
The bill appeared to be an unlikely proposal on Tuesday, as Democrats were confident in their ability to filibuster the measure before the legislative session concludes on April 18. However, the dynamics shifted when McDonnell switched parties. If McDonnell aligns with Republicans, Democrats would no longer have the power to obstruct the change.
U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts, a Republican and former governor of the state, expressed his satisfaction in a statement released on Wednesday. He warmly welcomed Senator Mike McDonnell to the Republican Team, emphasizing the importance of having sensible officials and voters join their party amidst the rise of extreme new Democrats.
According to him, the inclusion of Mike McDonnell in the Republican ranks in the legislature has resulted in a Republican majority in the Unicameral that is filibuster-proof, which is a significant development. This presents a tremendous opportunity, especially with the upcoming Presidential election, to rally our Republican majority towards adopting a winner-take-all system and securing an additional electoral vote for the Republican party in 2024.
