Nebraska
Welcome to the Nebraska state page! Here, Nebraska organizers can access and document ongoing projects, current leadership positions, upcoming races, and other important information. This list is non-exhaustive, and state teams are encouraged to expand and adapt these pages to their organizing needs.
Political Landscape of Nebraska
Partisan Composition of Nebraska
Overall, Nebraska is considered a red state, with a Cook PVI of R+13 as of 2022, regularly voting 55-65% Republican in statewide races. Their governor, US House and US Senate delegations are all Republicans. Nebraska's state legislature is a single body of 49 senators, who are officially non-partisan. It can be currently considered one seat shy of a Republican supermajority , with 32 Republicans, 16 Democrats and 1 Democrat Independent (as of 1/31/24).
Progressive Outlook for Nebraska
The overall progressive strategy for Nebraska is troubled. The main strategy here should be on getting legislation passed via citizen-led ballot initiatives and, most importantly, trying to replace Don Bacon with a Democrat as his district voted for Biden in 2020. Interestingly, the state legislature is elected via a top-two non-partisan primary. This means that what deep blue seats there are here could elect progressives to the state senate.
Get Involved
Register to Vote in Nebraska
Progressive Organizations in Nebraska
Below is a list of progressive organizations in Nebraska. If you see a state organization that isn't on this list, please add it.
- Nebraska Democrats: As Nebraska is a red state, the state's Democratic party is likely to be the best avenue for any progressive/liberal organizing.
Notable Campaigns in 2024
Below is a list of progressive candidates or ballot measures in the 2024 election cycle for Nebraska. Non-progressive candidates may also be placed here if they are substantially to the left of their district's partisan lean and worth campaigning for. If you see a candidate or ballot measure that should be on this list, please add them.
November 5th General Election
- Dan Osborn for US Senate:- This race is not hopeless. The current incumbent, Fischer, was appointed rather than elected and a recent poll showed Osborn, an Independent union activist, winning this special election by 2%. If you are in or around Nebraska, this campaign is effectively a chance to steal a seat from the GOP especially if the state Democrat party refuses to put forth a candidate in the same manner as McMullin in Utah in 2022.
- Tony Vargas for NE-2: Of the three US House seats that Nebraska has, NE-2 was the only one to vote for Biden in 2020 and Don Bacon is a vulnerable incumbent. If you are around Nebraska, getting Vargas in the US House would be an extremely effective use of your efforts.
Run for Local Office
An underrated way to impact change is to run for a local position! Please feel free to add information on doing so below.