Incumbent officeholder switches party affiliation


Mike McDonnell switches party affiliation to Republican.

Senator McDonnell changed his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican on April 3, 2024.

McDonnell said the Democratic Party “no longer felt like a place where he could reconcile his faith with his political affiliation.”

Earlier this year, the Nebraska Democratic Party censured McDonnell. Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said the decision to censure McDonnell was never about his being “a pro-life Catholic.” She stated “the Nebraska Democratic Party will continue to stand up for reproductive freedom and the human rights of the LGBTQ community.” 

Ballotpedia has tracked 174 state legislators who have switched parties since 1994. 84 lawmakers changed from Democrat to Republican, and 23 lawmakers switched from Republican to Democrat.

McDonnell’s switch did not change the Republican majority in the state senate; the partisan balance is now 15-33, see Nebraska trifecta information.

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