Former President Donald Trump held a phone conversation on Wednesday with at least one of the Republican state senators who participated in Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s meeting at the Governor’s Mansion, aimed at discussing changes to how the state allocates its Electoral College votes.
The meeting was convened to rally support for a transition to a winner-take-all system for the Electoral College in Nebraska and to address potential dissenters, including the newest Republican state senator, Mike McDonnell from Omaha. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina also attended the gathering.
Attendees noted that McDonnell suggested he was open to supporting the change but raised some concerns. On Thursday, a spokesman for McDonnell stated that he remains a no vote “as of today.” McDonnell, who previously led the Omaha firefighters union, switched to the Republican Party last spring after playing a key role in the passage of a stricter abortion ban, which now prohibits most abortions after 12 weeks.
State Senator Merv Riepe from Ralston, who was present at the meeting, confirmed that he participated in a separate discussion with Pillen and Graham. He shared that they emphasized the importance of Trump securing all five of Nebraska’s Electoral College votes, as national polling shows a competitive race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Riepe reported that Trump spoke to him briefly, expressing the significance of winning the election and acknowledging his identity. Riepe likened the conversation with Trump to the excitement his hospital experienced when hosting Johnny Cash.
The Trump campaign did not provide immediate feedback regarding the call, and the Harris campaign declined to comment.
Republicans are seeking to change the Electoral College allocation this year during a special session that Pillen plans to call if 33 senators express public support for the proposal, which is necessary to bypass a promised filibuster. Currently, Nebraska and Maine are the only states that distribute Electoral College votes by congressional district, with 48 other states awarding all votes to the statewide winner.
In closely contested elections, an electoral vote from Nebraska’s Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District could be pivotal, as it has previously swung between both parties in recent presidential elections.
Riepe noted that Trump did not make any threatening comments during the call. The Governor’s Office has yet to respond to requests for comment. This marks at least the second occasion this year where Trump communicated with a Nebraska senator regarding the winner-take-all system.
Additionally, McDonnell met privately with Pillen and Graham as well. His spokesman confirmed their encounter but clarified that Trump and McDonnell have not spoken directly. McDonnell is considering a run for Omaha mayor in 2025, facing challenges from three-term incumbent Mayor Jean Stothert and Democrat candidate John Ewing. Stothert has expressed support for the winner-take-all proposal, while Ewing favors the current system of allocating electoral votes by congressional district.