Democrat Joe Biden collects rare electoral vote in Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Democrat Joe Biden won in the Omaha, Nebraska-based 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday a victory that allows him to win one of five Conservative State Electoral College votes.

Nebraska is one of two states – Maine the other – that allows dividing its electoral votes. The statewide winner wins two votes, but the other three votes are decided by the Congressional Districts winner. Because President Donald Trump won the statewide vote and the other two districts in Nebraska, he will receive four Electoral College votes. By beating Trump in the Omaha District, Biden will win a vote.

To win the presidency, a candidate must win at least 270 of the country’s 538 Electoral College votes. Since the adoption of the split-voting system in 1991, Nebraska had split its electoral votes only once: in 2008, when Democrat Barack Obama won District 2 en route to the presidency.

Trump supporters who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday tended to cite his performance in his first term for their decision. But others, like Omaha bartender Jennifer Cheek, said the handling of the coronavirus pandemic influenced their vote.

“I think Joe Biden has a better plan for dealing with the coronavirus. I also think Joe Biden has a better plan to reopen the economy safely and efficiently, ”Cheek said.

CASINO GAMES

After decades of rejecting casino games, voters in Nebraska overwhelmingly approved measures on Tuesday to allow them on state-licensed racetracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Columbus and South Sioux City.

Opponents fought fiercely to keep the issue off the ballot, including filing a lawsuit in September that was dismissed by the Nebraska Supreme Court. Now voters have approved an amendment to the state’s constitution to allow slot machines and table games, as well as two laws that will regulate and tax casino games.

Opponents had argued that the change would lead to social ills, such as crime and bankruptcy fueled by gambling addiction. Supporters countered that these problems already exist in Nebraska due to easy access to casinos in neighboring states. , and that legalizing casinos in Nebraska would create jobs and a new source of tax revenue.

CONGRESS

Republican Rep. Don Bacon won a second term on Tuesday, defeating Democratic challenger Kara Eastman in a rematch of their 2018 run which many say would turn to Eastman this time around.

Bacon narrowly beat Eastman two years ago, and some polls had shown Eastman to be the favorite. Bacon noted in a victory speech to supporters on Tuesday that this electoral cycle has exposed the dysfunction caused by polarized politics.

“I am a conservative. I don’t compromise my values, ”he said. “But I am committed to you .. I will work with the other side to find areas that we agree on, be it health care, migration or whatever. other.”

In Borough 1, Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry managed to fend off Democratic challenger Kate Bolz in one of the tightest races he has faced in the 15 years he has held the seat. Republican Representative Adrian Smith was also re-elected to an eighth term representing the state’s 3rd rural and deeply red district, handily defeating Democratic challenger Mark Elworth Jr.

Republican Senator Ben Sasse easily won a second term in a race marked by controversy surrounding Democrat Chris Janicek, owner of a cupcake bakery in Omaha. Janicek won the Democratic primary in May, but was later criticized by her own party for sending sexually explicit texts about a campaign worker in a group text message.

The Nebraska Democratic Party spent months unsuccessfully trying to force Janicek out of the race, and the party ultimately approved longtime activist Preston Love Jr. as a candidate in writing.

PAYROLL LOAN

Nebraska voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a measure to cap the annual interest rate on payday loans at 36%.

The measure amends existing state law, which allows lenders to charge more than 400% per year. Supporters of the measure have argued that such high rates victimize low-income borrowers and those who do not understand loan requirements.

Industry officials have countered that the high rates are misleading because most loans are short-term and the interest rate cap will bankrupt lenders.

PROHIBITION OF SLAVERY

Nebraska voters on Tuesday easily approved a measure to remove the language from the state’s constitution that provides an exemption from its ban on slavery.

Nebraska was one of many states to take electoral action amid racial conflict in that election. Nebraska’s proposal eliminates a passage in the state’s constitution, dating from the 19th century, that allows slavery as a punishment for a felony. There was no organized opposition to the measure, which moved forward in the legislature this year unanimously.

Another state, Utah, is considering a nearly identical measure.

GOP LEGISLATIVE FRACTURE

State Senator Julie Slama easily beat challenger Janet Palmtag on Tuesday in an unusually bitter race that pitted two Republicans against each other in an officially non-partisan legislature.

The race exhibited a division in the GOP state. Slama, of Peru, was backed by Governor Pete Ricketts, who appointed her to the seat last year, while Palmtag was backed by former Governor Dave Heineman.

Slama’s campaign has been criticized for attack ads accusing Palmtag of being lenient towards crime. The ads featured Palmtag with State Senator Ernie Chambers, one of only two black lawmakers in the state. Critics included former governors Heineman and Democrat Bob Kerrey, who accused Slama of “racial baiting tactics.”

State regulators last month found the Nebraska Republican Party and a political consulting firm responsible for making illegal robocalls to benefit Slama.

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