Mike McDonnell
Mike McDonnell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 5th district | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Heath Mello |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 15, 1966 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (from 2024) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (until 2024) |
| Spouse | Amy Grosse (m. 1993) |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence(s) | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Nebraska Omaha, Bellevue University |
| Website | Campaign website |
Mike McDonnell (born January 15, 1966) is an American politician who serves in the Nebraska Legislature, representing the 5th district. He was a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party in 2024 after being censured by the Nebraska Democratic Party for voting for anti-abortion legislation and a ban on transgender medical procedures for those under the age of 18.[1][2][3]
Early life and education
McDonnell was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School in 1984, the year he joined the Nebraska Democratic Party. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 1992, an associate's degree in fire protection technology in 1996, and a master's degree from Bellevue University in 2014.[4]
Career
McDonnell was a former chief of Omaha Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 385 for the City of Omaha under Mayor Al Veys. On November 8, 2013, Mike retired as Fire Chief from the Omaha Fire Department after 24 years.[5] He also served with union groups Omaha Federation of Labor and AFL-CIO.[4]
Nebraska Legislature
Unlike any other United States legislature, the Nebraska Legislature is unicameral. Its members are elected without any official reference to political party affiliation. In 2016, McDonnell ran for the Legislature against Gilbert Ayala. Ayala is a member of the Republican Party and finished second in the 2016 nonpartisan primary, which saw McDonnell and Gilbert Ayala advance to that general election. McDonnell defeated Ayala in the general election with nearly 70% of the vote.
In 2020, McDonell won reelection after defeating Ayala again, but with a lower margin, of 63.2% of the vote.
McDonell could not run for re-election in 2024 due to term limits.[3]
Abortion
McDonnell has stated that he was transparent about his anti-abortion stance when he ran for the Legislature in 2016. He has also stated his support for “heartbeat bills”. He backed failed legislation that would have banned abortion in Nebraska outright. In response, he was denied a voting role in the Douglas County Democratic Party by a vote of 17-3, with members determining his beliefs conflicted with the party's pro-choice platform.[6]
LGBTQ rights
LGBTQ Nebraskans and allies have criticized Senator McDonnell for being the only Democrat in the Nebraska Legislature to support LB574, the “Adopt the Let Them Grow Act”, which bans transgender medical procedures for those under the age of 18.[7][6]
Winner-take-all
McDonnell has opposed Republican efforts to move Nebraska to a winner-take-all electoral vote system for President, and as of 2024 is considered one of the deciding votes. Nebraska is one of two states (Maine being the other) that splits its electoral votes by congressional district. On September 19, 2024, McDonnell said he was a no on winner-take-all "as of today," though he was under pressure from many Republicans, including Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham,[8] to change his position in what could be a decisive vote that might determine the outcome of the presidential election.[9][10] McDonnell said four days later that he stood firm on his position and had recommended to governor Jim Pillen that the matter be submitted for a possible constitutional amendment.[11]
Possible run for 2025 Omaha mayoral bid
Political insiders have stated McDonnell is strongly considering a mayoral run in 2025, though he has not confirmed nor denied a mayoral campaign.
He told WOWT in an interview: “If I decide to run for Mayor or not decide to run for Mayor, I’m not going to base my votes in the Unicameral on possibly running for Mayor or any office in the future”.[12] He confirmed to the Nebraska Examiner that he is considering a run for Omaha mayor in 2025.[13]
Nebraska Democratic Party censure
In response to McDonnell's positions around abortion and transgender healthcare, some Nebraska Democrats, especially the state chapter of Stonewall Democrats, proposed censuring the Senator. Following a meeting in Scottsbluff on July 15, 2023, the Nebraska Democratic Party officially censured McDonnell.[14][15][13]
The proposed censure and admonishment of me by the Nebraska Democratic Party, because I am pro-life, is not going to change my informed conscience and religious beliefs!
Personal life
McDonnell is married to his wife Amy. He is Roman Catholic and resides in South Omaha, Nebraska. He has one child.[4]
Electoral history
2016
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Mike McDonnell | 2,036 | 76.0 | |
| Republican | Gilbert Ayala | 641 | 24.0 | |
| Total votes | 2,677 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Mike McDonnell | 7,120 | 70.1 | |
| Republican | Gilbert Ayala | 3,028 | 29.8 | |
| Total votes | 10,148 | 100.00 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2020
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Democratic | Mike McDonnell (incumbent) | 3,578 | 70.0 | |
| Republican | Gilbert Ayala | 1,536 | 30.0 | |
| Total votes | 5,114 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Democratic | Mike McDonnell (incumbent) | 6,947 | 63.2 | |
| Republican | Gilbert Ayala | 4,053 | 36.8 | |
| Total votes | 11,000 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- ^ "Legislative District 5: McDonnell eyes compromise; Ayala is 'strong conservative'". Omaha World-Herald. September 15, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ "Mike McDonnell has been through the fire". Lincoln Journal Star. January 29, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ a b Anderson, Jake (April 3, 2024). "Nebraska state Sen. Mike McDonnell announces that he's switching from Democrat to Republican". KETV. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Sen. Mike McDonnell — Biography". news.legislature.ne.gov. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ "Meet Mike McDonnell". University of Nebraska Omaha. February 19, 2015.
- ^ a b Sanderford, Aaron (February 23, 2023). "McDonnell in crosshairs of fellow Dems on abortion, trans debates". Nebraska Examiner.
- ^ Wendling, Zach (April 13, 2023). "Nebraska lawmakers narrowly advance trans health care bill after internal chaos debates". Nebraska Examiner.
- ^ "Lindsey Graham: 'To my friends in Nebraska, that one electoral vote could be the difference'". Politico. September 22, 2024.
- ^ Sanderford, Aaron (September 20, 2024). "Sen. Mike McDonnell says he's a no on winner-take-all 'as of today'". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ Weisman, Jonathan; Epstein, Reid J. (September 20, 2024). "How One Man's Vote in Nebraska Could Change the Presidential Election". The New York Times.
- ^ Sanderford, Aaron (September 23, 2024). "State Sen. Mike McDonnell deflates GOP hopes for Nebraska winner-take-all in 2024". Nebraska Examiner.
- ^ Lundak, Marlo (February 23, 2023). "Douglas County Democrats deny Sen. McDonnell delegate voting role in party". WOWT.
- ^ a b c Wendling, Zach (July 15, 2023). "Nebraska Democrats pass on censure, seek new action after failing to reach quorum". Nebraska Examiner.
- ^ Wendling, Zach (July 15, 2023). "Nebraska Democrats to consider 'inflection point' censure of State Sen. Mike McDonnell". Nebraska Examiner.
- ^ "Statement from NDP Officers, Stonewall Democrats, Secular Democrats and Nebraska Young Democrats". Nebraska Democratic Party (Press release). July 15, 2023.
- ^ "PRIMARY ELECTION MAY 10, 2016" (PDF). Secretary of State Nebraska. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ "NE Legislature 05 2016". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
External links
- Mike McDonnell for Legislature campaign website
- Sen. Mike McDonnell official legislative website