Nebraska GOP

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Old-guard conservatives and Trump populists take Nebraska GOP from Ricketts
Welch is removed as state party chair, replaced by Lancaster County GOP chairman Underwood

KEARNEY, Nebraska — A motivated group of old-guard conservatives and Trump-era populists took over the Nebraska Republican Party on Saturday, ousting and replacing state GOP Chairman Dan Welch. The move sparked at least a dozen resignations from GOP leaders. By Saturday night, the state’s dominant political party had lost its chairman, executive director, two of three district chairs, national committeewoman, three assistant state party chairs, secretary, treasurer and lawyer, among others.

Party critics had pressed for change, with several saying they sent a message to Gov. Pete Ricketts and party leaders that the state GOP is more than a “party of one.” Cheers erupted when the amendment passed allowing delegates to fire GOP leaders. The crowd was quieter when Welch lost his vote. Ricketts had no immediate comment.

Old complaints

Some Republicans have complained for years that the governor and state GOP had taken sides in open races with Republicans running against Republicans. Several cited the legislative race between State Sen. Julie Slama and then-GOP activist Janet Palmtag. Others pointed to the May GOP primary for governor. Welch said delegates believed bad information that the GOP had taken sides. Ricketts spent aggressively to sway the governor’s race toward his pick, University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, who won the primary.

Motivated opponents

Some of what happened Saturday was telegraphed leading up to the convention. The Freedom Coalition held a 125-person rally Friday for people who wanted new leadership in the state GOP. Most who attended raised their hands when asked if they were delegates. Successful floor fights to credential five of six Republicans that the state GOP had rejected from attending offered additional clues. One of the six, Lancaster County GOP activist Fanchon Blythe, helped lead the takeover after being allowed into the convention Saturday.

Another one of the six, unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate Matt Innis, was arrested on suspicion of trespassing and assault for trying to enter the meeting hall before the group voted to let him in. After being released from Buffalo County Jail, Innis walked into the convention hall to applause.

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Nebraska GOP chairman voted out, at least 10 in leadership resign



KETV NewsWatch 7

Nebraska GOP Chairman Dan Welch was handily voted out of his position, at least 10 people in leadership reportedly resigned, and one person was arrested.

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Nebraska GOP ousts party chairman



The Nebraska Republican Party fired its chairman Saturday.

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Ricketts to NCN: 'No chaos in Kearney'

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New Nebraska GOP leaders and Ricketts look to move forward after shake-up
Group of conservatives, populists took over state GOP on Saturday in Kearney

HASTINGS, Nebraska — New leadership has taken possession of the Nebraska Republican Party’s Lincoln headquarters. New state GOP Chairman Eric Underwood and his team spent Monday on the basics, including figuring out how to access the GOP’s email accounts, bank accounts and voter contact lists. Underwood said he is focused on ensuring the continuity of the state party’s operations. He told KFAB’s Ian Swanson he wants to heal divisions and help “conservative Republicans” win. “If there is an ultimate … vision of electing Republicans that believe in our values, then why would you want to do it any other way?” he told KFAB. “Move forward.”

Timing questions

Underwood said he and his group pressed for change this weekend because they didn’t want to wait for the regular elections for state GOP chair in December, after this fall’s general election. Underwood, the former chairman of the Lancaster County Republican Party, said he understood that what happened Saturday in Kearney caused some hard feelings within the party. A majority of state GOP convention delegates at Saturday’s state party convention ousted Chairman Dan Welch and chose Underwood to replace him. Several said they wanted to loosen Gov. Pete Ricketts’ grip on the Nebraska GOP.