Nebraska
Nebraska reaction to Biden-Harris decision focuses on 2nd District impact
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Local efforts to keep the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District blue will have a new standard-bearer after President Joe Biden on Sunday announced he would not run for re-election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee.
Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, issued a statement Sunday expressing deep respect for Biden’s work and for his decision to step aside. Democrats are preparing for the national convention in Chicago next month. Nebraska is sending 34 delegates to the convention.
Precious McKesson, representing the state party and the local Biden campaign, said the party is waiting on the national rules committee to clarify the nomination selection process and working with Democratic National Committee lawyers on securing ballot access for the nominee.
“I don’t think it changes anything,” McKesson said of Biden’s decision. “I think it re-energizes. … Our delegates were already pledged delegates to Joe Biden. I am confident they will be pledged to Vice President Harris.”
Vargas-Bacon race impact
Kleeb said local partisans will be laser-focused on helping Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha win his competitive congressional race against Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon of Papillion and on helping the Democratic nominee for president win the state’s “blue dot.”
Biden won the Omaha area’s single Electoral College vote in 2020. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, won it in 2016 and won Nebraska’s four other electoral votes in 2016 and 2020.
The 2nd District has been Nebraska’s most competitive for years, flipping between then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in 2008 to Mitt Romney in 2012.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Republican Party want to switch the GOP-leaning state to winner-take-all as soon as a special session this summer if he can find the votes. Nebraska is one of two states that awards an Electoral College vote to the presidential winner in each congressional district.
In a tweet overnight Sunday, the state GOP said “the figureheads may change,” but that the “radical agenda of the elitists behind these individuals who need public praise and recognition will not.” The tweet said the GOP must push a “positive” policy agenda.
Eric Underwood, the state GOP chairman, said Republicans “are all on the same page” with the national GOP, which has questioned whether Democrats risk angering their primary election voters and compounding their problems while Republicans rally around Trump.
Political observers say both the presidential race and the control of the House of Representatives could come down to the Omaha-area race. Vargas lost to Bacon by three percentage points in 2022. In 2020, Biden beat Trump in the district by six points.
Vargas, in a statement, thanked Biden for “his longtime leadership and honorable service.” He said his “selfless decision to step aside” will ensure the Democrats have a “strong nominee” who can win and serve the nation “capably” over the next four years.
“Our greatest imperative this fall is to ensure we beat Trump,” Vargas said. “That’s why I will support the Democratic nominee. The stakes of this election are incredibly high, with the risk of a second Trump presidency doing incalculable harm to our democracy, rights and freedoms.”
Bacon, in a statement, said Biden made the right decision for national security to step down. Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, said the last presidential debate showed Americans that Biden was no longer up to serving as commander in chief.
“Unfortunately, Father Time always wins in the end, and it will happen to all of us at some point,” Bacon said in a post on the social media network X.
He also criticized Vargas for waiting so long to comment on Biden after the debate.
Love, Ricketts, Osborn weigh in
Preston Love Jr., the Democratic nominee running against Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, issued a statement commending Biden for his “many years of public service.” He said he looked forward to “strongly supporting Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee” for president.
“Our focus must continue to be on preventing Donald Trump and his enablers … from winning in November,” Love said. “A second Donald Trump presidency would be devastating to our most vulnerable communities. Now is the time for us to come together and find a path to victory.”
Ricketts, in a statement, said only one choice, Trump, will lead to “security and prosperity for American citizens, and that’s a Trump-Vance administration.” He stressed Harris’ role as the Biden administration’s point person on border security and said she pushed for “terrible policies.”
“The strength of the Trump-Vance ticket has never been more evident than today,” Ricketts said on X. “Kamala Harris owns the Biden policies.”
Dan Osborn, a nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate against Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, tweeted that he respects Biden’s decision. He said most Nebraskans want “honest leadership who will stand up to corruption regardless of party.”
Fischer’s campaign had no immediate comment on the Biden-Harris news.
A new old role for convention delegates
In August, 4,000 or so delegates from across the country will shift from having a largely ceremonial role, which was expected after Biden won the Democratic primaries, into a much higher-profile role of selecting the Democratic presidential nominee on behalf of their respective states.
Picking a presidential nominee was old hat for major party convention delegates prior to 1972, when the modern primary election system emerged. But Biden becomes the first presumptive nominee from a major party to leave the race after winning his party’s primary elections.
State Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue is one of the delegates who will get to vote in Chicago. She is a candidate for Congress in the 1st District against Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Flood.
Her first national party convention is now expected to name a nominee, which she said has her “very excited” because of the number of “very qualified people who could step up to the plate.” She said she is hopeful that “maybe a woman could be one of them.”
“This is a whole new process,” Blood said. “It’s democracy at its finest.”
McKesson said the party hopes to have more answers Monday about the next steps for its convention delegates.
Could boost youth turnout
Retired University of Nebraska at Omaha political scientist Paul Landow, who cut his teeth helping with Omaha-area Democratic campaigns, said it is too soon to tell how Biden’s dropping out might impact the presidential or House races in the 2nd District.
Harris, if chosen, could help the party better motivate young people to vote this November, Landow and McKesson said. Landow pointed to recent polling that showed Trump faring worse against a younger, more progressive Democrat than against Biden. Trump still narrowly led, however.
McKesson said she hopes people will take a little time to thank Biden for his decades of work and for “what had to be a hard decision for him and his family.”
“I want everybody to think about what he has done,” she said.
Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and X.
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A nationwide outbreak of the parasite Cyclospora has reached Nebraska, according to health experts at CHI Health.
While only a handful of cases have been identified in the state, doctors say the true number of infections may be higher because many people recover at home without being tested.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food and cause gastrointestinal illness. Health officials are still investigating the source of the current outbreak and have not identified a specific food item responsible.
Previous Cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce, including pre-cut salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions.
Dr. Renuga Vivekanandan with CHI Health says the parasite can be difficult to remove because it can survive in small, porous areas of some produce.
“Even though you’re washing it, they can remain there,” Vivekanandan said. “Ideally, if you buy produce whole, you can wash it thoroughly yourself.”
Symptoms of Cyclospora typically appear about seven days after exposure but can take up to two weeks, making it difficult for investigators to determine where someone was infected.
Symptoms can include prolonged diarrhea, fatigue, dehydration, muscle weakness and stomach discomfort.
Doctors say most people recover without hospitalization, but young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of complications.
Unlike some stomach illnesses, Cyclospora can be treated with antibiotics. Health experts say the most common treatment is trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also known as Bactrim.
Doctors recommend contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve and say staying hydrated is especially important.
Health experts say Cyclospora typically does not spread easily from person to person.
“If somebody else in your household has this, you’re not necessarily going to get it,” said Dr. Dave Quinby, an infectious disease physician with CHI Health. “Handwashing is always good, but this tends not to go person to person well at all.”
Until investigators identify the source of the outbreak, doctors recommend buying whole produce when possible, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly and cooking foods when appropriate.
According to the CDC, more than 843 confirmed cases and approximately 1,500 probable cases have been reported nationwide. Eighty-six people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
The recruiting industry has spoken, and Nebraska quarterback commit Trae Taylor has officially become the consensus No. 1 signal-caller in the 2027 recruiting class.
On Monday, Rivals updated its national rankings, elevating Taylor from a high four-star prospect ranked No. 71 nationally to a five-star recruit ranked No. 17 overall, a jump of 54 spots. The rise comes after an impressive stretch for the Chicago native, who is set to quarterback Millard South (NE) this fall.
Here’s what Taylor’s five-star status means for the Big Red, including what he did to reach this point.
Becoming a Five-Star
Taylor first earned a five-star rating from 247Sports shortly after being named the Elite 11 MVP following an impressive performance at the prestigious quarterback competition in May. Competing against 20 of the nation’s top signal-callers, Nebraska’s verbal pledge proved to be the best of the group.
According to 247Sports, Taylor is the nation’s No. 8 overall prospect and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2027 class. By earning MVP honors, he joined an impressive list of QBs that includes former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, 2025 Heisman finalist Julian Sayin, and several other top quarterbacks who have won the award over the years.
Taylor’s Recruitment
Taylor committed to Nebraska on May 1, 2025, and his stock has only continued to rise since then. At the time, he was regarded as a four-star prospect, but the Huskers believed they had secured a commitment from one of the nation’s top quarterbacks.
To his credit, he became just that. He followed that decision with a junior season in which he totaled more than 4,200 all-purpose yards and 50 touchdowns, cementing himself as one of the country’s most electrifying recruits heading into his senior year.
Despite interest from several of the nation’s top programs, Taylor has remained committed to NU. He reinforced that commitment by moving to the state ahead of his senior season, and his leadership has played a significant role in helping the Huskers assemble one of the top 2027 recruiting classes in the country.
Nebraska’s 2027 Recruiting Class
Nebraska’s 2027 recruiting class currently ranks No. 18 nationally and sixth in the Big Ten according to Rivals. Per 247Sports, however, the Huskers sit at No. 16 nationally, trailing only Ohio State and Oregon within the conference.
NU also holds commitments from four top-100 overall prospects in the cycle, its most since the 2005 recruiting class. Taylor is joined by four-star safety Tory Pittman III, four-star interior offensive lineman Jordan Agbanoma, and four-star wide receiver Khalil Taylor in that group.
Currently, the Big Red hold commitments from 22 prospects in the 2027 class. While Taylor is the only five-star recruit, nine of Nebraska’s commits are currently regarded as blue-chip prospects.
Nebraska Commits in 2027 Cycle:
- Trae Taylor- Quarterback (★★★★★)
- Tory Pittman III- Safety ★★★★)
- Jordan Agbanoma- Interior Offensive Line (★★★★)
- Corey Hadley Jr.- Safety (★★★★)
- Timi Aliu- Offensive Tackle (★★★★)
- Bryce Williams- Cornerback (★★★★)
- Nehemiah Ombati- Defensive Line (★★★★)
- Jailen Hill- Cornerback (★★★★)
- Amir Brown- Running Back (★★★★)
- Matt Erickson- Offensive Tackle (★★★)
- Barrett Kitrell- Interior Offensive Line (★★★)
- Jayden Travers- Defensive Line (★★★)
- KD Jones- Interior Offensive Line (★★★)
- Antayvious Ellis- Wide Receiver (★★★)
- Brennan Drummond- Safety (★★★)
- Joey Hunter- Tight End (★★★)
- Eli Harris- Linebacker (★★★)
- Caleb Green- Linebacker (★★★)
- Errol Demontagnac- Defensive Line (★★★)
- Ma’atoe Moe- EDGE (★★★)
- Justyn Lindsay- Wide Receiver (★★★)
What Taylor’s Bump Means for the Huskers
By now, every program in the country knows who Taylor is and what he could eventually become. For Nebraska, the task now shifts from recruiting him to proving it can develop him into an NFL quarterback over the next several years. For now, Taylor remains locked in, but signing day is still months away.
The 2026 season means significantly more that getting to a certain number of wins. For Matt Rhule’s staff, though, the pressure should be viewed as a privilege. They’ll need to prove they can develop the talent they already have while also winning football games. It’s as simple as that.
NU’s current staff already had one opportunity with a five-star QB, but that partnership ended after just two years. Taylor represents an opportunity to flip the script. This time, the Huskers will need to maximize it by keeping him in Lincoln, developing him into an NFL-caliber signal-caller, and seeing him finish what he starts, all while wearing the scarlet and cream.
Plenty of quarterbacks have found success while playing football for the Big Red. Plain and simple, Taylor needs to become the next one. Rhule’s staff seems set on seeing that become true. Now, fans will have the opportunity to watch it unfold.
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
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While Nebraska football fans mostly laughed at Wisconsin hiring Shawn Eichorst as their new AD, Badgers fans seem to be quite happy with the move. However, if the new athletic director’s tenure in Wisconsin echoes at least his early run in Lincoln, then Luke Fickell should know that he’s about to be shown the door, no matter what the 2026 season looks like.
One of the first things Eichorst did when he took over the program at NU was boot then-Husker head coach Bo Pelini. He did that despite the fact that Pelini was winning 9 or 10 games a season and was putting together campaigns better than any that have come since his firing.
The former Nebraska AD fired Pelini after he led his team to an emotional win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, with most of the coaches and players celebrating and seemingly poised to carry the momentum into bowl season and then the 2015 season. Eichorst had other ideas, essentially saying that beating the Hawkeyes simply wasn’t that impressive.
“In the final analysis,” he said at the time, “I had to evaluate where Iowa was.”
Shawn Eichorst’s Nebraska football tenure should worry Luke Fickell
Those words have stung Nebraska plenty since he uttered them, since Kirk Ferentz’s program has been inarguably better than the Huskers under Mike Riley, Scott Frost and Matt Rhule.
Certainly, Wisconsin fans should take that as a cautionary tale, not just because the AD overestimated where the Nebraska program would go, but also because he wasn’t very good at analyzing how to get them where he wanted them. But it’s even more a cautionary tale for Badgers’ head coach Luke Fickell.
Shawn Eichorst was essentially brought in as a clean-sweep artist in football. When he was hired, it’s clear that Pelini’s career in Lincoln was about to come to an end, unless he took the Cornhuskers on a miracle run.
The 37-34 overtime win over Iowa meant that the Huskers once again went 9-3. Two of the three losses were by five points or less. The only blowout loss of Pelini’s final season was to Wisconsin, 59-24. And yet, he was canned just two days after he finished another objectively successful season.
If Eichorst was willing (and some would say eager) to fire Pelini in that situation, is there any doubt he’s exactly as willing (and eager) to fire Luke Fickell after the 2026 season, unless he has a miracle run?
Fickell hasn’t been nearly as successful at Wisconsin as Pelini was at Nebraska. Back-to-back losing seasons put him at 17-21 in his career. He’d have to go on a 50-6 run to equal Pelini’s time in Lincoln.
Of course, it’s possible that Wisconsin fans are salivating at the idea of their new AD firing their rather mediocre head coach. The company line is they like that a former lieutenant to the longtime athletic director under Barry Alvarez is back and ready to bring the program back to glory days.
But is part of that march back to glory days expected to include a new head coach for the 2027 season? Put it this way, it wouldn’t be out of line for Luke Fickell to start putting out feelers to G6 programs this fall in case he has to update his resume quickly come December.
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