Trump criticizes Nebraska state senator for not flipping on Electoral College system
Former President Trump criticized Nebraska state Sen. Mike McDonnell (R) for coming out against Republicans’ renewed push to change Nebraska’s electoral system to a winner-take-all state.
“I would like to thank Governor Jim Pillen of Nebraska for trying to help the Republican Party simplify the complexity of the State’s Electoral Map. It would have been better, and far less expensive, for everyone!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Monday.
“Unfortunately, a Democrat turned Republican(?) State Senator named Mike McDonnell decided, for no reason whatsoever, to get in the way of a great Republican, common sense, victory,” he continued. "Just another ‘Grandstander!’”
McDonnell delivered a blow to Republicans earlier Monday when he issued a statement saying he would not support a change to the way Nebraska awards its electoral votes — coming at least a week after Trump and local Republicans renewed their push for the system.
“In recent weeks, a conversation around whether to change how we allocate our electoral college votes has returned to the forefront,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I respect the desire of some of my colleagues to have this discussion, and I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”
Nebraska and Maine both award their electoral votes based on each candidate's performance in each congressional district, awarding one vote per district. They all award two more electoral votes based on whichever candidate wins the state.
Though the push among Republicans to change Nebraska’s electoral system is not new, the last-minute renewed effort could have complicated Vice President Harris’s path to 270 electoral votes just weeks before the election.
If Harris only won Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, while losing the other battleground states, she would arrive at 269 votes — a situation in which Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District would prove critical on her path to 270.
Yet McDonnell's decision to reject the last-minute push among Republicans means the party lacks the 33 needed votes to overcome a filibuster on the move.
Date: | |
Tag: | Donald Trump |
-
CBS News - Top stories
Nebraska Republican rejects push to change Electoral College system to help Trump
Changing Nebraska's electoral vote allocation to winner-take-all would almost certainly have benefited former President Donald Trump this fall.3 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Graham says he's hopeful Nebraska will flip to winner-take-all electoral system
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) voiced his support for Nebraska Republican’s effort to flip the state’s way of distributing Electoral College votes to a winner-take-all electoral system -- a move that ...3 days ago -
CBS News - Top stories
Change to Nebraska electoral system could impact Harris' path to victory
A potential "winner-take-all" electoral system in Nebraska could alter the path to victory for Vice President Kamala Harris. CBS News political director Fin Gomez has more.3 days ago -
NBC News - Politics
Key Nebraska Republican opposes changing how the state awards electoral votes, blocking Trump push
A Nebraska Republican state lawmaker said Monday that he remains opposed to switching how the state allocates its electoral votes — a blow to former President Donald Trump and his allies, who are ...6 hours ago - Donald Trump -
ABC News - Top stories
Key Nebraska Republican opposes Trump effort to change state's electoral vote process
A growing Republican effort to switch Nebraska's electoral process to winner-take-all hit a major snag on Monday after a key state lawmaker came out in opposition.2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
NBC News - Top stories
Key Nebraska Republican opposes changing how the state awards electoral votes, blocking Trump push
A Nebraska Republican state lawmaker said Monday that he remains opposed to switching how the state allocates its electoral votes, effectively blocking a bid by President Donald Trump and his ...1 hour ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Key Nebraska Republican comes out against Electoral College rule change
Republicans have been dealt a major blow in their efforts to overhaul Nebraska’s Electoral College system, a move that could have ultimately cost Vice President Harris a critical vote in November. ...6 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Pentagon ups US troops to Middle East
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story Pentagon ups US troops to Middle East The U.S. is sending a “small ...36 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
McIver sworn in to fill late New Jersey Rep. Payne’s seat
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D) was sworn into the House Monday evening after winning the special election earlier this month. McIver, 38, now represents New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District after ...37 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
5 things to know about the UN meetings in New York
Foreign dignitaries will descend on New York City beginning Tuesday for this week’s United Nations General Assembly, tackling topics including the powder keg situation in the Middle East and ...42 minutes ago - New York -
The Hill - Politics
If landline phones are dying out, how do political polls work today?
Polling practices have changed significantly over the past two decades, especially with the decline of landline usage.43 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Zelensky calls Vance 'too radical,' suggests he study WWII
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a new interview with The New Yorker that Ohio Sen. JD Vance (R), the Republican nominee for vice president, “is too radical.” “He is too radical,” ...44 minutes ago