Connect with us

Nebraska

Donations to the Nebraska GOP fall sharply after contentious convention

Published

on

Donations to the Nebraska GOP fall sharply after contentious convention


A information to this years candidates for every Nebraska congressional district.


Donations to the Nebraska GOP seem to have nose-dived following the contentious state get together conference that noticed an virtually full exodus of the get together institution.

For the reason that conference on July 9, the state GOP has collected round $163,000 in contributions, in line with the most recent filings with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Fee and the Federal Election Fee, averaging about $55,000 per thirty days. Within the 12 months earlier than the conference, the get together gathered greater than $1.6 million, averaging over $135,000 per thirty days.

Advertisement

The Nebraska Democratic Celebration has outraised the state GOP in current months primarily based solely on its newest federal election filings, which present the get together has obtained about $548,000 since July 9. The get together’s newest state submitting was not obtainable.

The Nebraska GOP conference was full of pressure from the beginning. It culminated in a bunch of delegates ousting the chairman on the time, Dan Welch, which prompted a wave of resignations amongst different get together management. Delegates then elected now-Chairman Eric Underwood in Welch’s place.

Individuals are additionally studying…

Advertisement

Underwood didn’t reply to a number of requests for remark relating to the fundraising totals.

College of Nebraska at Omaha political science professor Randall Adkins mentioned he wasn’t stunned by the drop in contributions. He mentioned it’s possible linked to the change in get together management, which can have broken the belief earlier donors had within the group. Adkins mentioned the get together will most definitely mend that harm.

“The query is, how lengthy will it take,” he mentioned.

Some speculated that the result of the conference was an act of resistance in opposition to Gov. Pete Ricketts’ affect on the state get together. Ricketts and his household have been among the many largest monetary backers of the state GOP for years.

Advertisement

Of the $1.6 million donated earlier than the conference, the Ricketts household contributed greater than $555,000. However because the conference, the household hasn’t donated any cash to the state get together, in line with information.

Nebraska Democratic Celebration Chairwoman Jane Kleeb mentioned Ricketts has used his monetary affect to regulate the get together. However after the brand new management removed “all his individuals,” Kleeb mentioned it degraded Ricketts’ belief within the get together.

A Ricketts spokesperson didn’t reply to a request for remark.

The shortage of Ricketts’ cash isn’t the one motive for the lagging numbers. Although Ricketts would usually contribute giant lump sums to the get together, different contributions earlier than the conference additionally ranged within the 1000’s. Since then, most contributions have been under $1,000. One notable exception got here from the get together’s candidate for governor, Jim Pillen, who gave $6,500 on July 28.

Each state events have been buoyed by sizable outdoors contributions from nationwide political committees searching for to elect members of their get together to Congress.

Advertisement

The Nebraska GOP obtained a $100,000 contribution from the Nationwide Republican Congressional Committee in September, in line with federal election information.

In the meantime, the Democratic Congressional Marketing campaign Committee contributed greater than $266,000 to the Nebraska Democratic Celebration between August and September.

The flood of out of doors cash comes as incumbent Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican, makes an attempt to fend off a problem from state Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democrat, to symbolize Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District — one of many few Home races nationally that political observers view as aggressive.

Kleeb mentioned a lot of the Democratic marketing campaign committee cash went to help Vargas’ marketing campaign.

Kleeb has beforehand criticized the nationwide Democrat institution for not contributing sufficient to native Democratic candidates operating in crimson states. Nonetheless, she mentioned the Nebraska Democrats’ relationship with the nationwide get together is best than ever, and can function “constructing blocks” for 2024.

Advertisement

Within the newest state marketing campaign finance report, which covers contributions and expenditures as much as Oct. 4, the Nebraska GOP didn’t doc any contributions past Aug. 1, even because the get together logged expenditures as much as Sept. 16.

This might be defined by the get together working with a smaller employees because the conference, resulting in a backlog of contributions which have but to be documented. Within the federal stories, the state GOP continued to obtain a gradual circulate of contributions as much as the tip of its newest submitting interval on Sept. 30.

For the reason that conference, the state GOP has been with out an govt director, who sometimes handles many of the get together’s day-to-day operations. Underwood beforehand mentioned that he doesn’t anticipate to fill the position till early subsequent yr, however he didn’t anticipate the emptiness would have a lot of an affect.

Among the many current recorded contributions within the state marketing campaign finance report had been greater than 40 nameless contributions of precisely $250 — the utmost a person can donate with out being named — which had been all logged on Aug. 1.

Adkins mentioned that element may replicate a possible backlog, however acknowledged it was unusual.

Advertisement

“It’s an oddity that raises extra questions than solutions,” Adkins mentioned.

Welch mentioned that the circulate of contributions whereas he was chairman different, however they had been sometimes greater throughout election years. He mentioned there was “ quantity” of cash in financial savings when the brand new management took over, so the get together ought to be capable to proceed working even with fewer contributions.

If contributions don’t bounce again in the long run, nonetheless, Welch mentioned that would harm Republican candidates operating in down-ballot races, notably candidates who’re unable to fund their very own campaigns.

Adkins mentioned that over time, fewer contributions may forestall the get together from sharing essential info and sources with candidates, and usually the get together wouldn’t be capable to perform as regular.

“Finally, that lack of help will starve the get together,” Adkins mentioned.

Advertisement

Neither anticipate that to occur, nonetheless, and each males mentioned they anticipate the get together will construct again its contributions.

Adkins additionally identified that though much less cash could be going straight to the get together, that doesn’t imply cash isn’t going to Republican candidates.

Indicators of this will already be discovered by Ricketts’ current contributions. Although he hasn’t donated to the state GOP because the conference, he’s revamped a dozen contributions on to Republican campaigns, and paid $314,000 to a brand new PAC known as the Nebraska Future Motion Fund, which has made assault advertisements in opposition to state Sen. Matt Williams’ marketing campaign for the College of Nebraska Board of Regents, and in opposition to Greg Gonzalez’s marketing campaign for Douglas County sheriff.

“The cash hasn’t gone wherever,” Adkins mentioned. “It’s most likely simply getting in a special route.”

Three candidates hope to succeed Gov. Pete Ricketts when he completes his second time period in workplace in January 2023: Republican Jim Pillen of Colu…

Advertisement

November’s common election is the second matchup between candidates Patty Pansing Brooks and Mike Flood for the first District seat, which incl…

Advertisement

Republican Mike Hilgers of Lincoln faces Authorized Marijuana Now candidate Larry Bolinger of Alliance in a contest to be the state’s Lawyer Basic.

Advertisement

State Treasurer John Murante is operating for a second four-year time period. He faces Katrina Tomsen of Upland, a Libertarian.

Advertisement

In search of to exchange State Auditor Charlie Janssen are Republicans Mike Foley, Authorized Marijuana Now candidate L. Leroy Lopez of Cortland and Libe…

5 Southeast Nebraska districts are on the poll this yr, together with District 2, 24, 26, 28 and 46.

Advertisement

 There are three contested seats on the Decrease Platte South NRD board that may seem on the overall election poll. 

Advertisement

There are 4 board seats on this yr’s common election poll. The races are nonpartisan.

Advertisement

The native race is District 5, which incorporates a lot of the south aspect of Lincoln, and rural areas of Southeast Nebraska largely south of the Pla…

Advertisement

Democrat Kristi Egger of Lincoln, a longtime legal professional within the public defender’s workplace, defeated her former boss, incumbent Joe Nigro within the pr…

For the primary time since his election in 1994, Republican Terry Wagner is going through challengers — Democrat Johnny “Jay” Pitts Jr. of Lincoln and …

Advertisement

Republican Rob Ogden is operating for reelection to the four-year time period. He’s going through challenger Dan Nolte, a Democrat who has been the Lancaster…

Advertisement

Three Lancaster County Board races will seem on the overall election poll, together with two the place incumbents hope to be reelected.

Advertisement

Republican incumbent Pat Condon is being challenged by state Sen. Adam Morfeld, a Democrat, within the contest to be Lancaster County’s prime legal professional.

Advertisement

There shall be a brand new officeholder after the present county clerk isn’t searching for reelection. Republican Kris Beckenbach and Democrat Matt Hansen…

The present clerk, Troy Hawk, a Republican, is operating for a 3rd time period. He’s being challenged by Lin Quenzer, a Democrat, who has been the c…

Advertisement

One in all two Republican candidates for Lancaster County Treasurer — Tracy Refior or Jasmine Gibson — shall be eradicated within the main. The wi…

Advertisement

Incumbent Rachel Garver of Lincoln, a Democrat, faces Republican Tracy Refior within the Lancaster County Treasurer race.

Advertisement

Two are on the poll by way of the initiative petition course of and one is a proposed constitutional modification that was positioned on the poll by the Legislature.

Advertisement



Source link

Advertisement

Nebraska

LIVE: Nebraska hospital leaders to highlight critical health care issues, call for policy action

Published

on

LIVE: Nebraska hospital leaders to highlight critical health care issues, call for policy action


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) and the Nebraska Rural Health Association (NeRHA) will provide an overview of the 2025-26 Roadmap to Strong Rural Health Care during a press conference on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

The NHA and NeRHA will be joined by Nebraska hospital leaders and state senators to highlight state and federal issues important to the future of rural health care in the state.

You can watch the news conference when it begins in the video player above.

Rural hospitals make up about 35 percent of all hospitals nationally, and over 68 percent of hospitals in Nebraska, according to a joint press release from NHA and NeRHA. More than 41 percent of those are at risk of closure.

Advertisement

In addition, Nebraska has more rural residents living at least 25 minutes away from an ambulance than all but two other states. About 16 percent of Nebraska mothers must travel at least 30 minutes to find a maternal care provider, about twice the national rate, and more than half of Nebraska’s counties are considered maternity deserts.

NHA and NeRHA said 85 of Nebraska’s rural communities are considered medically underserved areas for primary care services alone. Projections show that Nebraska will experience a workforce shortage of over 5,000 nurses in 2025.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Nebraska

Lincoln area senators look ahead to 2025 Legislative Session

Published

on

Lincoln area senators look ahead to 2025 Legislative Session


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – This Wednesday, Nebraska’s 49 lawmakers will flock to the Nebraska State Capitol to begin the 2025 Legislative Session.

It falls to them to build a biennial budget proposal for the next two years, but already, projections show a roughly $400 million deficit that they need to close.

“We are mandated to pass a balanced budget in the state of Nebraska by the Constitution,” State Sen. Tom Brandt said. “It is going to happen. Will there be pain and suffering? I’m sure, but it will happen on the part of the Legislature.”

Many lawmakers say that means it won’t be a year for bold spending ideas. Instead, they’ll be looking for places to tighten the belt.

Advertisement

“I think working together we’ll be able to mitigate deep cuts on critical human services and key priorities like education,” State Sen. Danielle Conrad said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to also kind of chart a path together that keeps us on the right path and away from devolving into a divisive session.”

One big difference between this year and last year is time. 2024 was more of a sprint, just 60 days of legislative action. This year, it’s 90 days, dragging lawmakers to the beginning of June and giving them plenty of time to hammer out compromises—so long as there’s an appetite.

And more than a dozen new senators will be sworn in on Wednesday, which some more veteran lawmakers see as a boon.

“My last two years in the legislature have been marked by a lot of tumultuous fights, a lot of culture war issues, things like that,” State Sen. George Dungan, said. “With the new crop of people coming in, I think it gives us an opportunity to kind of hit that reset button and really have a conversation with each about why are we here.”

Every senator 10/11 NOW spoke with on Monday emphasized property taxes, though their approaches varied between targeted relief and more general cuts funded by sales taxes.

Advertisement

Many said they’re greeting the session with hopefulness.

“I think we’ve got an opportunity to make some big changes this year and really dive deep into some of those property tax issues that we spoke about this summer,” State Sen. Carolyn Bosn said.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Nebraska

Judge affirms former Nebraska State Patrol captain’s firing as another ex-captain files suit

Published

on

Judge affirms former Nebraska State Patrol captain’s firing as another ex-captain files suit


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A judge has affirmed the firing of a former captain with the Nebraska State Patrol after he filed suit last year.

Judge Andrew Jacobsen ruled last month that the Nebraska State Patrol had acted appropriately when firing then-Capt. Matthew Sutter on Nov. 11, 2022.

The firing came into legal contention after Sutter filed a lawsuit early last year alleging a toxic workplace and retaliation within the patrol.

In the lawsuit, Sutter’s attorneys list a range of investigations he oversaw following his promotion to captain in 2019. The investigations, which ranged among a reportedly inappropriate relationship, another captain’s alleged bigotry and accusations of misused funds in the Carrier Enforcement Division, largely resulted in critiques of upper management.

Advertisement

As Sutter pressed for action in each of the investigations, the lawsuit alleges management pressed back, eventually denying Sutter a pay raise and launching an investigation into his conduct. The investigation ended with a serious allegation and led to Sutter’s firing in late 2022.

The Nebraska State Patrol accused then-Capt. Sutter of leaking confidential information to the press on several occasions following his promotion. Sutter’s attorneys argued the information he shared had already been made public when he passed it along, and therefore could not be seen as confidential.

Judge Jacobsen, however, disagreed. Sutter was accused of sharing information related to presidential and vice-presidential visits, a barricaded suspect and the arrival of COVID-19 patients in Nebraska. The judge wrote that Sutter had shared the information with a former journalist with KMTV to “win her affections.”

He cited several text messages containing flirtatious language that were often sent alongside relevant information to the visits, barricaded suspect and COVID-19 patients. Judge Jacobsen wrote, “His actions were unprofessional, bad public relations, and very unbecoming of an officer.” He also found that Sutter had misused the state’s network to share inappropriate memes, look for a new job and play in a celebrity dead pool.

The judge concluded that the Nebraska State Patrol had proper reason to conduct an investigation into then-Capt. Sutter and provided him with due process in its disciplinary action. It’s unclear if Sutter plans to appeal the ruling.

Advertisement

Sutter’s lawsuit provides details into another lawsuit filed by Capt. Gerry Krolikowski which was settled late last year. Krolikowski alleged similar retaliation after raising the issue of allegedly misused funding in the Carrier Enforcement Division. Krolikowski, who has served with the Nebraska State Patrol since 1984, raised concerns about the division’s funding being used outside its statutory purview.

Krolikowski’s attorneys alleged his concerns went unheard and eventually resulted in the captain’s reassignment to the Process Improvements Division, a department generally viewed as a place to sideline employees who cross management to “shame” them.

A filing in October showed the State of Nebraska had entered into a settlement agreement with Krolikowski over the matter. The amount he’ll receive is unclear, but the settlement will need to be approved by the Nebraska Legislature in its 2025 session.

Additionally, another lawsuit against the Nebraska State Patrol was filed in late December by former captain Kurt Von Minden. His attorneys allege similar acts of retaliation from management after then-Capt. Von Minden investigated reports of troopers using anti-LGBTQ and racist slurs, sexually harassing and assaulting employees, and collaborating with drug dealers.

Von Minden, who’d been with the patrol since 1998 until his resignation in 2023, pushed management to put several disgraced troopers on the Brady Giglio List. The list organizes law enforcement members who’ve been accused of biased or dishonest conduct so attorneys can more easily examine their testimony in criminal convictions.

Advertisement

Two employees Von Minden investigated eventually resigned from the patrol and went on to new roles at other police stations, according to the lawsuit. His attorneys claim one former sergeant, who allegedly conducted business with a drug dealer, was later hired as the chief for a police department in Iowa.

The lawsuit claims Von Minden pushed for stronger accountability following these investigations and was eventually demoted to sergeant and reassigned to the Liquor Enforcement Division. Von Minden’s attorneys say the move was explicitly retaliatory as it dramatically reduced his oversight and meant he would report to a member of the patrol he had “promoted and mentored.”

Then-Capt. Von Minden resigned from the patrol a short time after his reassignment as he was “unable to tolerate the punitive and retaliatory post-demotion working conditions,” his attorneys wrote. A future court date for Von Minden’s lawsuit has yet to be set.

Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending