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Nebraska State Senator Mike McDonnell announced that he has switched his party affiliation to the Republican Party after spending roughly four decades as a member of the Democratic Party. McDonnell said his decision was largely driven by ongoing disagreements with Democratic leaders over his pro-life views. McDonnell, a former firefighter and labor union leader who represents a district in Omaha, said his religious convictions as a member of the Roman Catholic Church have shaped his position on the sanctity of life. According to the senator, those beliefs became a source of conflict with party officials.

“Today I’m announcing I am now going to be a registered Republican in the state of Nebraska,” McDonnell said when revealing the change.

He explained that he had asked leaders within the Douglas County Democratic Party to respect his pro-life stance. Instead, he said, party officials responded by limiting his involvement in party activities and withdrawing organizational support.

“They said you cannot participate, you can’t be a delegate, and we’re not going to share our party resources,” McDonnell said. He added that he continued to vote in line with his pro-life beliefs despite the backlash and noted that the state party ultimately voted to censure him.

The Nebraska Democratic Party disputed McDonnell’s characterization of the dispute. Party chair Jane Kleeb said the censure was related to broader party principles rather than his religious identity.

“The Nebraska Democratic Party will continue to stand up for reproductive freedom and the human rights of the LGBTQ community,” Kleeb said in a statement. She added that the party’s decision reflected its commitment to protecting individuals’ ability to make personal health decisions.

McDonnell’s switch could carry political implications in the Nebraska Legislature, the state’s unicameral legislative body. According to the Nebraska Examiner, the move gives Republicans 33 members in the 49-seat chamber—the number required under legislative rules to overcome a filibuster. Democrats would hold 15 seats, along with one progressive lawmaker registered as a nonpartisan.