The Nebraska Republican Party State Central Committee last month declined to endorse any of the party’s 5 incumbent members of Congress but did endorse the 3 primary election challengers who have filed.
Hastings engineer John Walz is running against 3rd District Representative Adrian Smith of Gering, Omaha businessman Dan Frei is going after 2nd District Congressman Don Bacon, and retired Air Force Lt Colonel John Glen Weaver is challenging Senator Pete Ricketts.
Longtime party leaders were ousted from the central committee in the summer of 2022, replaced largely by populists loyal to former President Donald Trump who say none of the incumbents were endorsed because none of them sought it while Frei, Weaver, and Walz did.
This week, 26 of the 32 state senators who are registered Republican signed a letter endorsing all 5 incumbents, touting their “dedicated conservative leadership.” Tom Brewer of Gordon signed the letter, but Brian Harden of Gering and Steve Erdman of Bayard didn’t with Erdman saying the whole discussion serves no Republican’s interest.
A new endorsement process was used this year that included questionnaires which were privately mocked by some party members. State Senator Julie Slama mocked and attacked the questionnaires and the endorsements on the floor of the legislature while filibustering an unrelated bill.
Slama expressed frustration over both the central committee not endorsing any of the incumbents and for endorsing Walz against Smith, who she called “one of the strongest conservatives in Congress.
She said it was unbelievable since Smith, the state’s longest-serving House member, consistently supported Trump, voted against accepting the 2020 election results, and constantly criticizes Joe Biden.
Among the questions incumbents were asked were: Have you reviewed the Nebraska State Constitution Chapter 32 and your elected position’s job description?; and What tenets of the NEGOP platform relate specifically to your elected office and why?;
Among the somewhat easier questions for first-time candidates were: Are you an introvert or extrovert?; What are your hobbies?; and What does the word integrity mean to you?