Nebraska’s GOP leadership is facing backlash after failing to secure enough support in the state senate to move to a winner-take-all electoral vote system before the 2024 election. Gov. Jim Pillen (R) announced he will not call a special session to push for the change due to the lack of support among Republican state senators.

State Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, who recently switched from Democrat to Republican, played a key role in halting the effort, refusing to support the proposal. McDonnell stated, “After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”

McDonnell’s opposition, along with that of two other senators, prevented the GOP from reaching the 33 votes necessary to implement the winner-take-all system. The failure to secure this change is seen by many as a significant setback for Republicans in the state, especially considering Nebraska’s unique method of splitting electoral votes. In 2020, President Donald Trump lost one electoral vote from the 2nd Congressional District to Joe Biden, a loss that could play a crucial role in the 2024 election.

Gov. Pillen expressed his disappointment, saying, “We have left every inch on the field to get this done.” Without the shift to winner-take-all, Nebraska risks giving up another crucial vote, which could be decisive in a close election.

McDonnell and the other senators who blocked the effort have shown they are unwilling to support what many conservatives view as a necessary move to protect Republican interests in Nebraska. Their opposition to the plan raises serious concerns about their commitment to the party’s goals, and it may be time for voters to consider whether these senators deserve to continue representing them. Their refusal to act on this critical issue just before a pivotal election signals the need for new leadership that will stand firmly behind conservative principles.