Nebraska
100 Years Ago, A Nebraska Republican Changed Democracy in His State Forever
Editor’s Note: This op-ed, written by Open Primaries Senior Vice President Jeremy Gruber, originally published on The Fulcrum and has been republished on IVN with permission from the publisher. Photo by Nicolas Henderson on Flickr.
With Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen’s announcement on Sept. 24 that he doesn’t have enough votes to call a special session of the Legislature to change the way the state allocates electoral votes, an effort led by former President Donald Trump to pressure the Legislature officially failed.
Nebraska is one of only two states that award a single Electoral College vote to the winner in each congressional district, plus two votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote. Much has been made — justifiably — of Republican state Sen. Mike McDonnell’s heroic decision to buck enormous political pressure from his party to fall in line, and choosing instead to single-handedly defeat the measure. The origins of the senator’s independence, though, began in a 100-old experiment in democracy reform.
In 1933, after years of rampant corruption, Nebraska’s two-chamber, partisan gridlocked on a series of basic tasks, from tax allocation to the repeal of Prohibition. U.S. Sen. George Norris (R), a Republican, refused to sit idly by as his state faced enormous political and social unrest. He firmly believed partisan politics were detrimental to the democratic process. For him, “men in the legislature, elected on a partisan political platform, are inclined to follow the bidding and the dictates of party machines and party bosses.” Norris himself practiced a brand of practical, can-do politics that demanded he follow his own belief system. For him, partisan politics gets in the way of building any meaningful, lasting change.
So, he led an effort, using his own money, to fundamentally reimagine how Nebraska does politics, by putting a measure on the 1934 ballot to abolish the legislature and replace it with a unicameral body operating with nonpartisan rules and elected on a nonpartisan, open primary ballot. The entire political class of the state and both the Democratic and Republican parties opposed it. The people of Nebraska overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.
This restructuring has generally freed the Legislature from the type of strong-arm partisan politics that pervades political activity in Congress and most state legislatures. With no formal party alignments or caucuses, the Nebraska Legislature operates under a unique political reality that allows coalitions to form issue by issue. Because committee chairs are elected by the members and not partisan leaders, with minority party members regularly holding leadership posts, the Nebraska Legislature is largely a meritocracy.
Perhaps most unique about the Nebraska system is how voters elect state senators. Instead of separate, partisan primaries to select Republican and Democratic nominees, Nebraska utilizes a single, nonpartisan open primary. The primary ballot lists all candidates without partisan affiliation. The top two candidates, regardless of party, advance to the general election.
That means that senators elected in the Nebraska system are not strictly beholden to their party and its leadership to get elected and stay in office. Senators can define what “left,” “right” and “center” mean — or don’t mean — instead of letting the party define it for them.
That Nebraska legislators are not bound by party dogma is incredibly empowering. It gives them the space to consider new legislative approaches, and to reach out more broadly in crafting policy. It shakes off the mythology and false assumptions of what it means to be a Republican, Democrat or independent. And it allows elected leaders to vote their conscience, and not be forced into supporting narrow party agendas.
That doesn’t mean Nebraska’s elected leaders are free from partisan politics — far from it. And the pressure is particularly acute since statewide offices and Nebraska’s federal delegation operate under typical partisan rules. What it does mean is that they are able to move the people’s business forward despite those challenges. Which is why they’ve made progress on issues ranging from tax reform to immigration, while the state’s congressional representatives — representing the same constituents — have stuck close to their party’s agendas and shown little leadership on the same issues despite their priority among voters.
That bring us to McDonnell, who in opposing the proposed change to how Nebraska counts electoral votes made a clear statement of conviction: “The idea that the coach calls a timeout with two minutes left and says, ‘I want to change the value of the field goal from three points to four, and that’s how I’m going to win,’ it doesn’t ring true, and that’s not part of Nebraska…If the people of Nebraska want to do it two years out and let whoever wants to run for president of the United States know the rules, I think that would be fair.”
It’s a statement that could have just as easily come from Norris himself.
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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A K9 assigned to the Nebraska State Patrol sniffed out a major haul of drugs Wednesday morning, authorities say.
The patrol said it happened shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Interstate 80 near Milford, a city of about 2,000 people about 20 miles west of Lincoln.
A trooper stopped the driver of an eastbound Nissan Rogue that was following a semi too closely, the patrol said.
During the stop, the K9 smelled drugs, according to the patrol. Troopers said a search of the vehicle uncovered about 525 pounds of suspected cocaine and 9.3 grams of suspected heroin.
The driver, a 23-year-old California man, was booked into jail on suspicion possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver.
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Jordy Frahm, Hannah Coor lead Nebraska softball past OSU for WCWS berth
Former OU softball players Jordy Frahm and Hannah Coor talk about leading Nebraska to a sweep of Oklahoma State in the NCAA super regionals to earn a WCWS trip on Saturday, May 23.
LINCOLN, NE — The question about the importance of star softball player Jordy Frahm’s decision to transfer to Nebraska had barely left the reporter’s mouth when coach Rhonda Revelle joyously blurted out her answer.
“You mean when Jordy called me at 1:02 p.m. on June 14, and I almost drove off the road when I saw her name pop up?” Revelle said with a smile. “Not that I remember.”
No team in the Women’s College World Series, which begins Thursday at Devon Park, can track its presence in Oklahoma City back to a singular moment the way the fourth-seeded Cornhuskers can.
Frahm — then known as Jordy Bahl — left Oklahoma in the summer of 2023 after winning a pair of national championships and returned to her home state to play for a Nebraska team that had barely qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
Three years later, the Huskers are a legitimate national title contender, thanks in large part to what Frahm can do as their ace pitcher and leadoff hitter.
She’s one of the best players in the country, posting a 20-4 record and 1.14 ERA with 234 strikeouts in 171 ⅔ innings in the circle, plus a .419 batting average, 19 home runs and 50 RBIs at the plate.
But more than her statistical contributions, her presence reinvigorated a program that had made seven WCWS appearances in its history, but only one in the previous two decades (2013).
The timing of Frahm’s phone call to Revelle couldn’t have been better — aside from the car accident it nearly caused.
It tipped over a domino that set in motion all the events that have landed the Huskers at the WCWS nearly three years later, where they’ll face fifth-seeded Arkansas at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Frahm’s presence has made Nebraska a desirable program again.
“People want to play with Jordy,” Revelle said. “When people got in the portal, they would take a call from me because we have Jordy on the roster.”
When Frahm tore her ACL in February 2024, it seemed like a roadblock to the program’s new growth. But it turned out to be an alignment of future events.
Frahm redshirted, which provided the ability to play this season.
Without the injury, maybe the timeline would have accelerated, and Nebraska would’ve made its WCWS return last year. But the arrival of key players this season, like transfer center fielder Hannah Coor and freshman pitcher Alexis Jensen, seems to suggest Frahm was needed as the centerpiece of this squad.
“If that didn’t happen, I’m not sitting here today in my fifth year with this special team,” Frahm said. “I’ve thought about that so much this year as it’s gone on. I couldn’t have scripted this. Nobody could’ve scripted this with the way this team came together.”
And without the year of reflection and growth Frahm experienced when softball was taken away from her in 2024, she might not have become the type of leader her team needed.
“I believe that little injury is one of the best things that has ever happened to me in the world of my sports career,” Frahm said. “I just needed that year so bad, to be away from the game, be away from the pressures, be away from everything.
“Just reset and realign with my faith. The joy doesn’t come from the outcomes on the field. That year I was hurt was one of the most joyful years I’ve had and that’s just continued from there.”
Revelle, who has coached her alma mater since 1993 and compiled more than 1,200 wins, witnessed Frahm blossoming in 2024, when she couldn’t be on the field with her teammates.
“The extra year was really important for her for a reset,” Revelle said. “But also for her to get infiltrated in this program with her teammates and her coaches. The relationship she and I have built is second to none, and that extra year was really a time when we didn’t have to focus on softball to do that. So when we got to softball, there was a lot of trust that was built.
“From the day she stepped on this campus, she raised the intensity and focus, and she brings that with her everywhere she goes.”
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
Curtis, Neb — Graduates of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture were honored May 7 during the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Curtis Memorial Community Center, celebrating the completion of two years of training for careers in agriculture and animal health.
Kelly Bruns, Ph.D., interim executive director of NCTA, presided over the ceremony and recognized the ways students supported their communities and one another throughout the year, including helping fight wildfires and stepping up during difficult times.
Graduate Carly Stewart delivered the invocation, followed by a welcome from graduate and Student Senate President Lydia Ziemba.
Bruns introduced special guests and University of Nebraska leaders, including Regents Kathy Wilmot and Tim Clare, who delivered remarks to graduates. Tiffany Heng-Moss, Ph.D., University of Nebraska vice president and IANR Harlan vice chancellor, also addressed graduates and later conferred degrees.
Commencement speaker Nathan Nicklas, the residence life manager, encouraged graduates to lead with purpose, invest in relationships and use their talents and experiences to positively impact their communities and industries. Early in Nicklas’ address, a power outage darkened the facility. Doors were opened to let in sunlight, and Nicklas continued without amplification.
After his address, a student representative presented Nicklas with flowers in appreciation for his leadership and support of students.
Jennifer McConville, Ph.D., associate dean, recognized academic honors and announced Hannah Brett as the 2026 Aggie of the Year. Rachel Bose delivered the benediction.
The following list represents December and May graduates. It is not a complete list, as some graduates chose not to have their names released. Academic honors are noted as: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude.
Agricultural Production Systems
Atlanta, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Carly Stewart, Animal Science
Bartley, Nebraska — Treven Critchfield, Diversified Ag
Central City, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Grace Strong, Livestock Ind Mgt
Dalton, Nebraska — Cum Laude Justin Ernest, Livestock Ind Mgt; Crop Production Cert
Franklin, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude J Gladden II, Livestock Ind Mgt
Friend, Nebraska — Mason Semler, Agronomy Ind Mgt
Greensburg, Kansas — Brock Hassiepen, Livestock Ind Mgt
Hallsville, Missouri — Magna Cum Laude Dominic Troutman, Livestock Ind Mgt
Indianola/Cambridge, Nebraska — Gracelynn tenBensel-McConville, Agribusiness Mgt & Agronomy; Agribusiness Mgt Cert
Indianola, Nebraska — Cum Laude Hunter Blume, Agronomy
Leigh, Nebraska — Cum Laude Jacob Martensen, Diversified Ag
Lexington, Nebraska — Cayden Gibbons, Diversified Ag
Linden, Iowa — Magna Cum Laude Weston Ploeger, Agribusiness Mgt & Livestock Ind
McCook, Nebraska — Rachel Bose, Agronomy Ind Mgt
Milburn, Nebraska — Cum Laude Samuel McMillan, Diversified Ag
Omaha, Nebraska — Cum Laude Vivien Appleby, Diversified Ag
Rushville, Nebraska — Cum Laude Jessalinn Dieriex, Animal Science
Sargent, Nebraska — Cum Laude Tera Horky, Ag Education; Ag Welding Cert
Seneca, Kansas — Magna Cum Laude Isabelle Evans, Equine Ind Mgt
Severance, Colorado — Natalie Baker, Animal Science
Seward, Nebraska — Masa Brown, Livestock Ind Mgt
Seward, Nebraska — Cadance Mae Craig, Livestock Ind Mgt
Shubert, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Danyelle Kuker, Livestock Ind Mgt & Equine Ind Mgt; Equine Training Cert
Sidney, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Dominik Lucero, Ag Equipment; Ag Welding & Irrigation Tech Certs
Silver Creek, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Lydia Ziemba, Agribusiness Mgt; Beef Production Cert
Springview, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Courtney McCarthy, Agribusiness Mgt & Livestock Ind
Vet Technology Systems
Cawker City, Kansas — Carter Walsh, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Covington, Oklahoma — Kiley Grantz, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Esbon, Kansas — Haylee Cockroft, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Fairport, Kansas — Morgan Dockendorf, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Grant, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Emma Klahn, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Kearney, Nebraska — Cum Laude Wednesday Fielder, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Lexington, Nebraska — Alyssa Copper, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Lexington, Nebraska — Patti Louthan, Vet Asst
Middlesex, Vermont — Summa Cum Laude Hannah Brett, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
North Platte, Nebraska — Olivia Dimas, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
North Platte, Nebraska — Ella Harmon, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Scottsbluff, Nebraska — Alexia Furman, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Additional Certificates
Curtis, Nebraska — Hunter Markley, Ag Welding Cert
Indianola, Nebraska — Tristan Martin, Ag Welding & Irrigation Tech Certs
Ord, Nebraska — Laci Weeks, Animal Care Cert
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