A new political party could be coming to Nebraska; state Democratic Party officials call foul

LINCOLN — There is an effort underway in Nebraska to gather enough voters’ signatures to form a new political party in the state. 

The sponsor behind the push for the new party, called “Nebraska Working People Party,” is Robin Richards, according to paperwork obtained through the Secretary of State’s office.

The stated purpose of the Nebraska Working People Party is to provide Nebraska voters with a “political organization dedicated to advancing the interests of working families, middle-class Nebraskans, rural communities, small businesses, farmers, ranchers, and individuals seeking practical solutions to improve economic opportunity, strengthen communities, and promote responsive and accountable government.”

Organizers who want to create a new political party ahead of the November election have a July 15 deadline. The group would need to collect at least “one percent of the total votes cast for Governor at the most recent general election for such office,” according to state law. Which would be around 6,726 signatures. 

If the group is successful, the party can place its candidates on the general election ballot, per Nebraska state law. 

Richards is a registered Democrat. She lost a write-in campaign in Legislative District 12 earlier this year. That district is in south-central Douglas County that includes Omaha and Ralston. Following her loss, Richards endorsed incumbent Republican state Sen. Merv Riepe for the general election. 

Organizers of the effort said in a statement the party is being formed “because Nebraskans are sick of two broken parties that have had their chance and delivered the same old nonsense: higher costs, broken communities, and a government that works for them instead of working people.”

“This party is about people over politics, lower costs, good jobs, affordable health care, strong schools, and leaders who are actually accountable to the people they represent. Nebraska deserves a real alternative, and that is exactly what we are building,” part of the group’s statement reads.

Blame game 

Multiple news outlets reported Nebraska Democratic Party officials’ social media posts about Richards’ effort to gather signatures for the new party after petitioners were seen at an Omaha farmers market last weekend.

Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb, in a statement, blamed Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts for the new party effort. 

“Nebraska Democrats are building a coalition to end one-party Republican rule and, with 127 days left before the election,” Kleeb said, “there’s only one reason to launch a new party this late, divide the vote and create chaos. Voters see through spoiler games funded by special interests.”

Nebraska Republican Party Chair Mary Jane Truemper said “Republicans are focused on electing Republicans.” 

“We respect everyone’s right to file petitions but our focus remains clear: to win in November with Republicans up and down the ballot,” Truemper said. 

This isn’t the first time there have been allegations of candidates playing “spoiler” during this year’s election cycle in Nebraska. The Nebraska U.S. Senate race between Ricketts  and registered nonpartisan Dan Osborn has seen allegations of candidates being “planted” to help each of them. The involved campaigns have denied the accusations.  

Lydia Brasch, a former Republican state lawmaker, and Derek Schwartz, an unsuccessful GOP candidate for the Legislature, asked the state attorney general earlier this year to look into  Democrat Cindy Burbank and Legal Marijuana NOW nominee Mike Marvin over allegations that neither intends to serve. 

Nebraska Democrats have also criticized nonpartisan candidate Austin Ahlman for jumping into the 1st Congressional District race, which already included incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Flood and Democratic nominee Chris Backemeyer. Burbank broke ranks with the party and endorsed Ahlman. 

Burbank won the Democratic Party’s nomination for U.S. Senate, but she is expected to drop out of the race. In the run-up to the primary, she posted on her campaign website that she would drop out if she won to give Osborn a cleaner shot against Ricketts. 

The National Working Families Party is considering legal action against the Nebraska effort, as reported by Nebraska Public Media. The national group confirmed to the public radio station that it is not involved in the petition. 

The general election is Nov 3.