Nebraska Republican Turmoil

Understanding the Upheavel

Reporter Matt Johnson of RighCheer.com has recently reported turmoil within the Republican Party (https://rightcheer.com/whats-next-for-the-populist-upstarts/). It is worth a read.

First, the Covid pandemic is still sending reverberations as the digital economy broadens and people communicate using more internet options. In Nebraska, this has aided a variety of Trump supporters, activists, and the anti-Ricketts people.

Second, the anti-Ricketts people managed to remove more experienced party members in favor of new and less experienced members who brought in new ideas and passion.

Third, at the Republican State Convention, the failure to endorse any of the Republican Nebraska Congressional delegation came off as if Democrats had taken over the party. My advice to Republicans: refrain from candidate endorsements, particularly in the primaries, and only do so out of a bunch of caution.

Fourth, Hamas and Ukraine wars. These emerged after the pandemic in a digital economy. Drones and terror now come from the sky at little expense to attackers. Trump kept the US out of war, but he may have to lead the nation to go to war. With such conflicts, those with military experience such as Nebrasaka Congressman Bacon will easily be elected. Nebraskans are not isolationists. Remember, former Nebraska US Senator Chuck Hagel was pushed out of office over his comments about US involvement in Iraq years ago.

Fifth, candidate Dan Frei got off to a very late start. By the time his campaign was up and running three months later, Congressman Bacon, who knows how to pivot, had mostly patched up his relationship with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and was able to get this message out. In addition, the Congressional district has changed boundaries due to the 2020 Census which aided Bacon.

Sixth, Nebraska US Senator Pete Ricketts still exists as a powerhouse in Republican politics. He helped fund Congressman Bacon’s campaign (https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/21/bruising-bacon-frei-gop-primary-bleeds-into-bacon-vargas-rematch-this-fall/ or short link https://tinyurl.com/5f8v77fr). Sorry, but Ricketts wasted money on this.

Seventh, according to reporter Johnson, former Nebraska Congressman (who was also former Omaha mayor) Hal Daub called for party unity and to endorse the winning candidates. At the same time, Dan Frei countered saying the candidates should come to the party for such endorsements. Both men are right. The party needs unity and the candidates have to do their part in doing so. As for the party, this division would not be so difficult if the party had refrained from endorsements to begin with.