Nebraska State Senator Mike McDonnell announced he will switch from the Democrat Party to the GOP.

McDonnell cited his Catholic faith and pro-life position as reasons to switch parties.

“I have asked the Democratic Party to respect my religious-based pro-life position. Instead, over the last year, they have decided to punish me for being pro-life,” McDonnell said, according to KETV.

“The Douglas County Democrats voted not to seat me as a delegate and not to share party resources with me because I am pro-life,” he added.

“Mike McDonnell is a leader in the Nebraska Legislature and the President of the Omaha Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. Now, he’s a Republican, too. Welcome to the GOP, Senator!” Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley said.

KETV reports:

McDonnell also said the state Democrats voted to censure him because of his views on abortion.

Nebraska Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb reacted to McDonnell’s party change in a statement.

“The Nebraska Democratic Party will continue to stand up for reproductive freedom and the human rights of the LGBTQ community. Our decision to censure Sen. McDonnell was never about him being a pro-life Catholic. Our decision was based on our party reaffirming our core values to protect women’s ability to make health decisions and to keep politicians out of our personal health decisions. We respect the ongoing work of Senator McDonnell on behalf of unions and his commitment to protect a fair electoral vote system we have in our state,” Kleeb said.

The senator represents District 5 in the Nebraska Legislature, which covers part of midtown Omaha. He was elected in 2016, reelected in 2020, and is term-limited.

News Channel Nebraska noted:

Often mentioned as a candidate for Omaha Mayor next year, McDonnell ‘s statement makes no mention of his possible political plans. He’s term limited at the end of 2024.

Here’s his full statement:

In 1984 I registered as a Democrat.

I was a Christian a member of the Roman Catholic Church and Pro-Life.

In 2016 I ran as a Pro-Life candidate for legislative District 5.

When I ran for reelection in 2020 I was Pro-Life.

I have asked the Democratic Party to respect my religious based Pro-Life position.

Instead over the last year they have decided to punish me for being Pro-Life.

The Douglas County Democrats voted not to seat me as a delegate and not to share party resources with me because I am Pro-Life.

The state Democratic Party voted to censure me because I am Pro-Life.

Being a Christian a member of the Roman Catholic Church and Pro-Life is more important to me than being a registered Democrat.

Today I am changing my party affiliation to Republican.

McDonnell’s switch will have massive implications in the Nebraska Legislature.

“Nebraska’s unicameral legislature now has a filibuster proof Republican majority as Sen. Mike McDonnell switches parties from Dem to Rep. This has massive implications for passing LB764, which would switch Nebraska to a winner-take-all electoral college state and BLOCK Joe Biden’s easiest path to the presidency,” Charlie Kirk wrote.

“Nebraska state senator switches from Democrat to Republican party this morning, giving republicans 33 senators and a filibuster proof majority. This will be incredibly important in the coming battle to fix the Nebraska electoral college quirk, that could win the election for Trump,” Citizen Free Press commented.

“With 49 members, known as ‘senators’, the Nebraska Legislature is the smallest U.S. state legislature. A total of 25 members is required for a majority; however, in order to overcome a filibuster, a two-thirds vote of all members is required, which takes 33 votes,” Wikipedia states.

The Nebraska Legislature now has 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats, and one independent.

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