In a blow to Trump, Nebraska governor won't name a particular session to vary state's electoral votes

Nebraska GOP Gov. Jim Pillen introduced Tuesday he won’t name a particular legislative session to vary how the state allocates its electoral votes, dashing Republican hopes that the swap might occur earlier than November.

Former President Donald Trump and his allies have been pushing state lawmakers to change to a winner-take-all system, wherein the presidential candidate who carries the state receives all 5 of its electoral votes. At present, three of the state’s votes are awarded to the candidate who wins every of its three congressional districts.

Pillen mentioned in a press release that Republicans nonetheless wouldn’t have the 33 votes wanted to beat a filibuster within the unicameral legislature, noting that he and his group “have labored relentlessly” to search out the votes.

“Sadly, we couldn’t persuade 33 state senators,” Pillen mentioned, noting that GOP state Sen. Mike McDonnell, a former Democrat, confirmed Monday that he would not support the move so near Election Day.

“That’s profoundly disappointing to me and the numerous others who’ve labored so earnestly to make sure all Nebraskans’ votes are wanted equally this election,” Pillen mentioned. “Based mostly on the shortage of 33 votes, I’ve no plans to name a particular session on this situation previous to the 2024 election. I’m grateful to the numerous Nebraskans who made their voices heard throughout this course of.”

In 2020, President Joe Biden received the Omaha-based 2nd District, defeating Trump by 7 factors and notching the district’s electoral vote. That one vote might be essential in a detailed election, prompting Trump and his allies to push for a shift to winner-take-all earlier than November. However Trump signaled Monday evening that the trouble has stalled given McDonnell’s announcement.

“It might have been higher, and much inexpensive, for everybody!,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, later including, “I LOVE OMAHA, and received it in 2016. Appears to be like like I’ll need to do it once more!!!”

It stays to be seen whether or not Trump and his allies will dedicate extra assets to the state transferring forard.

To date, Democrats have far outspent Republicans on the airwaves in Nebraska, in line with the ad-tracking agency AdImpact. Since Vice President Kamala Harris took over on the prime of the Democratic ticket in late July, Democrats have spent $6.7 million on advertisements in Nebraska, whereas Republicans have spent $170,000.

GOP Rep. Don Bacon, who represents the aggressive 2nd District, mentioned Monday that Trump might win that electoral vote so long as he stays targeted on key points together with price of dwelling and immigration.

“If we had a disciplined marketing campaign and deal with these points, I feel he would do very nicely in our district,” Bacon advised NBC Information’ “Meet the Press NOW.”