A longtime Nebraska lawmaker has announced he is leaving the Democratic Party after four decades of affiliation, citing conflicts with party leadership over his pro-life beliefs.
State Sen. Mike McDonnell revealed this week that he has officially registered as a Republican in Nebraska. McDonnell, a former firefighter and union leader who has represented an Omaha-area district for several years, said the decision followed growing tension with Democratic leaders over his stance on abortion.
“Today I’m announcing that I am now going to be a registered Republican in the state of Nebraska,” McDonnell said in remarks explaining his decision.
McDonnell said his views are rooted in his Roman Catholic faith and longstanding belief in the sanctity of life. According to the senator, his position created friction within the local Democratic Party, particularly after he continued to vote in support of pro-life measures.
“I asked the Democratic Party in Douglas County to respect that I’m pro-life, that I’m a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and that my beliefs are based on that,” McDonnell said. “Instead of respecting it, they decided to punish it.”
He claimed local party officials limited his participation in party activities and withheld resources after he refused to change his position. McDonnell also noted that the Nebraska Democratic Party previously voted to censure him for his voting record on abortion-related legislation.
Democratic leaders disputed McDonnell’s characterization of the dispute. In a statement, Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said the party’s actions were based on policy principles rather than religious beliefs.
“The Nebraska Democratic Party will continue to stand up for reproductive freedom and the human rights of the LGBTQ community,” Kleeb said. “Our decision to censure Sen. McDonnell was never about him being a pro-life Catholic.”
Kleeb said the censure reflected the party’s commitment to protecting abortion access and what she described as the right of individuals to make personal health decisions without government interference.
McDonnell’s party switch has political implications in Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan unicameral legislature. According to the Nebraska Examiner, the move gives Republicans 33 members in the 49-seat chamber—the number required to overcome a filibuster—while Democrats hold 15 seats alongside one progressive registered as a nonpartisan.
