Republican state senators in Nebraska who opposed the effort to change the state’s electoral vote allocation to a winner-take-all system have shown they are out of touch with the needs of their party. Gov. Jim Pillen (R) announced that he will not call a special session after failing to gather enough votes in the senate to push the measure forward.
Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, a recent convert from the Democratic Party, was among the senators who refused to support the proposal. McDonnell, along with two other Republican senators, prevented the party from securing the 33 votes required to pass the bill before the 2024 election.
McDonnell defended his position, stating, “Right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.” His refusal to back the winner-take-all system has drawn criticism, as many Republicans believe that securing all of Nebraska’s electoral votes is vital for the party’s success in the upcoming election.
In 2020, President Donald Trump lost one electoral vote from Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District to Joe Biden, a loss that could be repeated in 2024 if the state continues with its split-vote system.
Gov. Pillen expressed disappointment, saying, “We have left every inch on the field to get this done.” The failure to implement this change could have serious consequences for the GOP as they face a challenging election year.
The Republican senators who blocked this effort are standing in the way of progress for the party. It’s time for voters to consider replacing them with representatives who will prioritize conservative values and work to secure all of Nebraska’s electoral votes for the GOP in future elections.
