Organizers of efforts to establish two new political parties in Nebraska submit signatures

LINCOLN — The groups behind the effort to establish two new Nebraska political parties submitted required signatures to get a ballot line this November.

The Secretary of State’s Office confirmed receipt of signatures from the Nebraska Working People Party Tuesday. A spokesperson said the organizers “provided an estimate of 8,000 to 12,000 signatures.”

The group behind the America First Party submitted 15,523 signatures Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s Office said. 

Both efforts needed to collect around 6,700 signatures to be an official party. If the signatures are verified and accepted, the parties can place their candidates on the general election ballot, per Nebraska state law. 

The person behind the Nebraska Working People Party effort is registered Democrat Robin Richards, according to paperwork submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office. The sponsor for the America First Party is Omaha Tribe Attorney General John Cartier, who is treasurer of the campaign for Legal Marijuana NOW Party’s U.S. Senate nominee Mike Marvin. 

There are currently four official parties in Nebraska: Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, and Legal Marijuana NOW. 

Nebraska Democrats call foul on Working People Party effort 

The potential new parties have caused a stir in Nebraska politics. State Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb blamed Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts for the effort behind the Nebraska Working People Party, saying “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.” 

The Nebraska Democratic Party didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Nebraska Republican Party Chair Mary Jane Truemper said in a statement “Nebraska Republicans are laser-focused on one thing: electing Republicans up and down the ballot this November. 

“Gathering enough signatures to qualify is their right, and we respect that but it doesn’t change our mission,” Truemper said. 

Richards 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. 

Last week, Nebraska State AFL-CIO Affiliated Union Leaders wrote an open letter to Richards, asking her to reconsider her efforts to form a new party. 

“The impact, if you file these signatures, will be disastrous for working people. We will consider it a terrible blow to our cause and will be unable to collaborate with you or support you in the future. We will be forced to campaign relentlessly against your party,” part of the letter states.

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 of the effort previously said 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.”

Republicans criticize America First Party effort

The effort to get the America First Party recognized as an official party has caused an uproar among Republicans because of Cartier’s connection with Marvin. Republicans have accused Marvin of helping registered nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn. Republicans said Marvin is a “plant” who will drop out of the race. Marvin has denied being a plant.

The America First Party’s stated purpose is to “provide voters with a political organization committed to putting Americans and Nebraskans ahead of all others by cracking down on out-of-control government spending and wasteful foreign aid, getting tough on illegal immigrants, standing up against abortion, and rigidly defending the Second Amendment.”

Cartier in a statement said, “Nebraskans are sick of political corruption, and they’re hungry for more options.”

“The more than 15,000 signatures we’re submitting today are evidence of that,” Cartier said. 

The Nebraska Liberal Party also has been seeking official party status in the state since 2024, according to paperwork filed with the Secretary of State’s Office. The deadline to turn in signatures to establish new official political parties in the state is 5 p.m. Thursday.