Election 2024
Democrat Paul Theobald decides not to challenge Sen. Pete Ricketts; Republican Herbster still mulling his options
OMAHA — A Nebraska Democrat who considered a 2024 bid for the seat held by appointed U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., announced Friday that he has decided not to run. Paul Theobald, a former dean of education and counseling at Wayne State College, filed paperwork in June signaling an intent to raise money for a […]
Think tank’s polling found 55% of Nebraskans oppose ‘Opportunity Scholarships’ Act
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with additional comment. LINCOLN — The Lincoln-based think tank OpenSky Policy Institute released a poll Thursday showing that 55% of respondents would vote to repeal a new state law that diverts state tax payments to groups providing private and parochial school scholarships. The telephone/text message poll of 600 […]
Major GOP donor Tom Peed hosts House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Lincoln at dinner
LINCOLN — U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy made a trip this week to Nebraska for steak, not Bacon or a Flood. McCarthy dined Monday with Nebraska conservative donor Tom Peed, who owns Sandhills Global, at the Casa Bovina steakhouse, which Peed’s son Shane owns in northeast Lincoln. A handful of protesters showed up. Though McCarthy’s […]
Legislative candidate announces run. Now he needs to move into the district.
LINCOLN — Three weeks ago, Jacob Wolff announced his candidacy for the District 23 seat in the Nebraska Legislature. One of his first goals will be to move into the east-central Nebraska district, which spans Saunders and Colfax Counties and most of Butler County. Legislative observers say they can’t recall an instance where a legislative […]
Trump appeals to farmers in Iowa campaign visit
COUNCIL BLUFFS — Former President Donald Trump claimed he is the “most pro-farmer president that you’ve ever had” during a campaign stop in Iowa and joked that his payments to them during a trade war with China should guarantee he will win the state’s caucuses. “How the hell can I not? I gave the farmers […]
Pence says he doesn’t buy argument that the rich don’t pay ‘fair share’ of taxes
LE MARS, Iowa — Former Vice President Mike Pence told Iowa voters Wednesday that he “doesn’t buy” the argument that the wealthiest Americans do not pay their fair share of taxes. U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra and the Wells Visitor Center and Ice Cream Parlor hosted Pence and about 50 attendees at a meet-and-greet in Le […]
Pricey spending race underway to allow — or block — voter referendum on new school choice law
LINCOLN — Forces for and against repeal of a controversial school choice law have spent more than $1.6 million thus far to woo Nebraska voters, according to recent state campaign spending reports. Spending is expected to rise even further as an effort to repeal the “Opportunity Scholarships Act” signed into law this spring faces an […]
State Sen. Tony Vargas announces 2024 run at Rep. Don Bacon in Nebraska’s 2nd District
OMAHA — Voters in Nebraska’s most competitive congressional district could get another rematch in 2024. State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha announced a repeat bid Wednesday for the Democratic nomination to represent the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. His early entry makes him a favorite to challenge four-term U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. Nebraska Democrats have […]
No evidence of voter fraud in Sarpy, outside investigation finds
PAPILLION, Nebraska — An outside investigation of populist-fed fears about voting problems, funded by Sarpy County taxpayers, found no evidence of voter fraud and only a handful of mistakes by poll workers, none of which changed an election outcome. The investigation, funded by Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov with $88,000 from his budget, explored the […]
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen says he won’t stop on abortion, seeks total ban
HOLDREGE, Nebraska — Gov. Jim Pillen and conservative state lawmakers are “going to end” abortion in Nebraska, and their push will not stop with bans at 12 or six weeks, he said during a recent barnstorming stop in this agricultural community. Many in the group of more than 80 people at the Sun Theatre for […]
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, touting record of results, announces 2024 reelection bid
LINCOLN — U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., kicked off her third campaign for the Senate on Wednesday at the Nebraska State Capitol, where she discussed how she has helped Nebraskans secure federal funding for infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges and broadband. Flanked by more than a few dozen current and former elected officials, including Gov. […]
Herbster, Theobald mull U.S. Senate bids against Pete Ricketts
LINCOLN — Nebraska’s rare double-feature of U.S. Senate races in 2024 already stars two Republican incumbents, with U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts having said they plan to run. Two potential challengers confirmed to the Nebraska Examiner they are considering Senate bids after being asked about new filings this month with the Federal Election […]