Sen. Mike McDonnell says as of now, he opposes winner-take-all
OMAHA — Nebraska Sen. Mike McDonald of Omaha acknowledged through a spokesman Thursday that he discussed the future of how Nebraska awards Electoral College votes on Wednesday.
McDonald was among others in Lincoln to meet with Gov. Jim Pillen, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and other Republican state senators who have supported former President Donald Trump.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen hosted an afternoon news conference. August 5, 2024.
Most in that group, along with the Nebraska Republican Party, want Nebraska to adopt a winner-take-all approach to presidential elections, like 48 other states. They hope to complete it this year.
Nebraska and Maine award one Electoral College vote to the winner of each congressional district and two votes to the winner of the statewide presidential popular vote.
MacDonald spokesman Barry Rubin called the proposal to have Nebraska award all five Electoral College votes to the statewide winner “a passionate issue for all Nebraskans.”
“Senator McDonald heard compelling arguments from both sides,” Rubin said Thursday. “And, to this day, (he) remains a no.”
Mcdonald is a democrat first
McDonald had been a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party in April. He remains a labor leader in Omaha. He hopes to run for Omaha mayor as early as 2025.
When he switched parties, he said he would never support winner-take-all. However, several people who attended Wednesday’s gathering said MacDonald told them he was looking for a way to get “consent” despite expressing concerns.
Rubin did not respond to questions about Wednesday’s meeting. But others McDonald spoke to on Thursday said he told some of them on Wednesday that he was misunderstood by fellow Republicans.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert has announced her candidacy for a record-breaking fourth term. (Courtesy of Mayor Jean Stothert)
Wednesday’s meeting answered questions about potential Republican resistance to a winner-take-all approach, with those suggesting they may be wary of interfering with election laws so close to the election.
Several people who attended the meeting said some previously hesitant senators were more supportive this year of switching to a winner-take-all approach. Some noticed MacDonald’s shift in tone.
The winner-take-all push has help from Gov. Jim Pillen, Sen. Lindsey Graham and Trump
Political observers on Thursday questioned whether McDonough would be able to defeat Republican incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert in the state’s most Democratic city if he endorsed a winner-take-all approach.
Others describe him as being in trouble either way because modern Republicans value Trump over many of the party’s policy positions and may punish McDonough if he votes against the issue.
Republicans are taking Trump’s efforts to win Nebraska’s 2nd District seriously. Some believe this could break the 269-269 tie in the Electoral College.
President Joe Biden won the 2nd District in 2020. .
Others’ reactions to Macdonald
Pillen, in a statement Thursday, praised McDonough for his help during the recent special session on property tax relief and his work in funding Offutt Air Force Base.
“I know he’s a hard-working legislator,” Pillen said of MacDonald. “On the winner-take-all issue, I know he’s considering all factors and I appreciate his thoughtfulness.”
Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb introduces Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff at the opening of the Nebraska Democratic Party’s new Omaha office. (Aaron Sandford/Nebraska Examiner)
Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Klebb praised McDonald for his “consistent and unwavering support for Nebraskans to have a voice and have a choice in our electoral process.”
Pillen told senators on Wednesday that he needs them to show him that state lawmakers have made 33 firm commitments in support of winner-take-all — the minimum needed to overcome a possible filibuster — before he convenes special meeting to implement this commitment.
A senator who attended the meeting told the Examiner that Pillen would prefer to hold the meeting before next week.
Ballots will be mailed to Nebraskans overseas starting this week. The first batch of stateside ballots will be mailed on September 30.
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