The votes are in
-
ANR
Go Big Red isn’t just a sports cheer in Nebraska and Hamilton County, where fans can wear the same colors in support of their Huskies and Huskers. Based on last week’s election results, red, as in Republican, is the hue of choice for voters as well.
While the mid-term “red wave” predicted by some political pundits did not materialize across the country, there were no surprises here at home. Candidates with an R behind their name dominated the win column, reflecting a solidly conservative populace historically not swayed when the political winds begin to blow different directions on social issues of the day.
Aurora native Kirk Penner is a good example of the prevailing political sentiments, particularly in outstate Nebraska. Penner ran for re-election to the Nebraska State Board of Education on a sharply conservative platform, claiming that proposed sex education standards exposed the philosophy of a board that had grown out of touch with Nebraska values. Penner defeated Helen Raikes, whose campaign was the polar opposite in many ways, by a 55-45 margin.
Two other conservative candidates won election to the state board as well, which could begin to change the tone of discussion. That’s a positive change for a board that will remain under a bright spotlight going forward.
Hamilton County consistently filled in the oval by the R candidate, when given the choice. That trend has not changed over time, though the narrative within the party itself, even amongst locals here at home, has changed. The next two years leading up to the 2024 election will be interesting to follow in that regard.
As for the issue of choice at the polls, it is disappointing quite frankly to see so little fight from the Nebraska Democratic party and/or candidates these days. Gone are the days when Democrats Bob Kerrey and Ben Nelson not only raised the level of statewide debate, but helped set the tone of the narrative in significant ways. Strongly contested elections help the voting public by airing in more specific detail the differences in platforms and priorities. That’s a good thing, no matter who you back in the privacy of the voting booth.
On that note, as mentioned before in this space, it was disappointing to see Governor-elect Jim Pillen decline invitations to debate Democrat Carol Blood. Pillen was the best candidate in both the GOP primary and last week’s general election, but he raised questions about his leadership style by avoiding the debate stage. Voters expect better, and deserve to see Pillen at the microphone early and often come January.
The votes are in, 89 percent by in-person voting here in Hamilton County by the way, yet another sign of how folks weighed in on election day.
-- Kurt Johnson
