‘Profoundly disappointing’: Gov. Pillen not calling special session on winner-take-all

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Gov. Jim Pillen announced on Tuesday that a special session on making Nebraska a winner-take-all state is not happening.

The news comes a day after State Sen. Mike McDonnell said he doesn’t support changing how the state allocates its electoral votes ahead of the election.

Pillen said he and his team worked “relentlessly to secure a filibuster-proof 33-vote majority” to get winner-take-all passed before the general election.

But the governor failed to persuade 33 state senators after McDonnell confirmed he would be unwilling to vote for the change.

“That is profoundly disappointing to me and the many others who have worked so earnestly to ensure all Nebraskans’ votes are sought after equally this election,” Pillen said in a statement.

There are now no plans to call a special session on the issue before this year’s election, according to Pillen.

“I am grateful to the many Nebraskans who made their voices heard during this process,” he said.

Other Republicans have criticized McDonnell’s decision, like former president Donald Trump and Sen. Pete Ricketts.

Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said Mcdonnell is “standing strong against tremendous pressure” to support winner-take-all allocation.