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Nebraska State Senator Mike McDonnell announced that he has changed his party affiliation to the Republican Party after spending roughly four decades aligned with the Democratic Party. McDonnell said the decision followed 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 strongly influenced his views on the sanctity of life. According to the senator, those beliefs increasingly put him at odds with party officials. “Today I’m announcing I am now going to be a registered Republican in the state of Nebraska,” McDonnell said while revealing the change. He explained that he had previously asked leaders within the Douglas County Democratic Party to respect his pro-life stance. Instead, he said party officials limited his participation in internal party activities and withdrew 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. Despite the pushback, he stated that he continued voting in accordance with his pro-life beliefs. McDonnell also noted that the state party later voted to censure him over the dispute. The Nebraska Democratic Party disputed McDonnell’s description of the situation. Party chair Jane Kleeb said the censure was tied to broader party principles rather than the senator’s 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 actions reflect its commitment to protecting individuals’ ability to make personal health decisions. McDonnell’s party switch may have significant implications for the balance of power in the Nebraska Legislature, the state’s unicameral legislative chamber. According to the Nebraska Examiner, the change gives Republicans 33 members in the 49-seat body—the number required under legislative rules to overcome a filibuster. Democrats now hold 15 seats, along with one progressive lawmaker registered as a nonpartisan.