Nebraska state Sen. Mike McDonnell announced that he is switching his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican ahead of the 2024 elections. In a recent interview, McDonnell said his decision was primarily driven by disagreements with his former party over abortion policy, particularly his long-held pro-life views rooted in his religious beliefs.
McDonnell said he had consistently made his position clear while serving as a Democrat, including during his 2020 reelection campaign. He stated that he asked party leaders to respect his religiously based stance but felt increasingly marginalized over the past year. According to McDonnell, party officials took disciplinary actions against him because of his voting record on abortion-related legislation.
The senator cited several examples of what he described as punitive measures, including being denied a seat as a party delegate and losing access to party resources. He also said the state Democratic Party formally censured him over his position. McDonnell emphasized that his Christian faith and membership in the Roman Catholic Church played a central role in his decision to leave the party.
McDonnell’s party switch is expected to strengthen the Republican majority in the Nebraska Legislature, potentially giving GOP lawmakers greater leverage in upcoming legislative debates. The shift comes as state leaders consider changes to election-related laws, including a proposal that would alter how Nebraska allocates its electoral votes in presidential elections.
Republican lawmakers and Gov. Jim Pillen have voiced support for legislation that would move Nebraska from its current congressional district system to a winner-take-all model for presidential elections. Supporters argue the change would align Nebraska with most other states, while critics warn it could reduce political representation. With McDonnell’s move, Republicans may now be better positioned to advance the proposal as discussions continue ahead of the 2024 election cycle.
