A Nebraska state senator made an announcement on Wednesday that he is switching his allegiance from the Democrats to the GOP. This decision has the potential to influence the state’s election laws in favor of former President Donald Trump.
State Senator Mike McDonnell made a significant announcement on Wednesday, declaring his transition from being a Democrat to becoming a registered Republican in the state of Nebraska. After being affiliated with the Democratic party for an impressive period of time since 1984, McDonnell has now chosen to align himself with the Republican party.
In November, there is a high possibility of a rematch between Donald Trump, the expected Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election, and Joe Biden, the current Democratic president.
Historically, the majority of Nebraska has consistently leaned towards the Republican Party. However, due to the unique Electoral College system in the state, Democrats have managed to secure some of Nebraska’s electoral votes in previous presidential elections.
The Trump campaign has been contacted by Newsweek for a comment.
McDonnell attributed his decision to switch parties to the way the Nebraska Democratic Party responded to his stance on abortion.
“I made it clear to the Democratic Party in Douglas County that I hold pro-life views and that I am a practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church. My beliefs are deeply rooted in these principles,” McDonnell expressed. “However, instead of respecting my stance, the Douglas County Democrats chose to penalize me for it.”
“They told me that I couldn’t participate and be a delegate, and they refused to share the party resources,” he explained. “Despite that, I have consistently voted in favor of pro-life policies. As a result, the state Democratic Party decided to censure me. Nonetheless, my stance on pro-life issues remains unchanged.”
The Nebraska Democratic Party censured McDonnell in March, criticizing his voting records for their perceived negative impact on reproductive rights and transgender rights in Nebraska.
McDonnell was contacted by Newsweek via email for comment.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Jane Kleeb, the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, emphasized the party’s unwavering commitment to reproductive freedom and the human rights of the LGBTQ community. Kleeb clarified that the decision to censure Senator McDonnell was not based solely on his pro-life Catholic stance.
We made our decision to uphold our party’s core values, which prioritize safeguarding women’s autonomy in making health decisions and ensuring that politicians do not interfere in personal healthcare choices. We hold great respect for Senator McDonnell’s dedication to unions and his efforts to preserve a fair electoral vote system in our state.
McDonnell’s decision indicates that Nebraska might undergo a significant transformation. Republican leaders, including Governor Jim Pillen, have been advocating for a shift to a winner-take-all system in allocating the state’s Electoral College votes.
Nebraska’s current method of allowing its electoral votes to be split by Congressional district is unique, shared only with Maine. However, adopting a more commonly used approach would align Nebraska 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. As the 2024 election looms and is anticipated to be a tight race, Republicans are expressing worries that if Biden is able to secure even a single electoral vote from Nebraska, it could potentially sway the outcome of the election and determine whether or not Trump emerges as the victor.
Advocates believe that this decision would simplify Nebraska’s representation in presidential elections, showcasing a cohesive position rather than a fragmented electorate. On the other hand, critics perceive it as a tactical move to reinforce Republican control in a state that has displayed pockets of Democratic backing.
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 intentions of the country’s founders. He emphasized that allocating all Electoral College delegates to a single candidate would guarantee that Nebraska speaks with a united and cohesive voice during presidential elections.
In a recent post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump expressed his endorsement for the bill, applauding the governor’s courageous leadership. He urged the Nebraskans to respectfully reach out to their Senators and request their support for this significant legislation. Trump’s message conveyed optimism that the Senate would make the right decision.
On Tuesday, the bill appeared to be an unlikely proposal, as Democrats were confident that they could filibuster it before the legislative session concludes on April 18. However, the situation took a turn when McDonnell switched parties. If McDonnell aligns with Republicans, Democrats will no longer have the power to impede the proposed change.
In a statement on Wednesday, Republican U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts expressed his satisfaction in welcoming Senator Mike McDonnell to the Republican Team. He emphasized that the extreme new Democrats are effectively driving common sense officials and voters towards their party.
“The recent addition of Mike McDonnell to the Republican rolls in the legislature marks a significant milestone. For the first time in recent memory, the Unicameral now boasts a filibuster-proof Republican majority. This development, coinciding with the upcoming Presidential election, presents an incredible opportunity to leverage our Republican majority and transition to a winner-take-all system. By doing so, we can secure one more electoral vote in the Republican column for the year 2024!”
