Last time we checked, there is no surgical procedure to remove the billionaire Ricketts family from our lives. That is unfortunate.
The Ricketts family has been buying political influence for years, and is not the least bit shy about it.
While Gov. Pete Ricketts is a lame duck and will be booted from office in January due to term limits, it appears that we might be stuck with the entire clan for awhile.
For too long, Pete has used the family’s seemingly endless supply of sacks of money to buy compliant GOP candidates right out of the store window and then act as a legislative marionette as they do his bidding. And don’t think he’s done meddling.
Alas, given the war chest he’s amassed, his so-called Reign of Error looks to continue in some fashion.
Daddy Joe Ricketts has been throwing his monetary weight around for years.
And a recent letter in the Lincoln Journal Star points out how Mommy Ricketts is bankrolling Measure 432 — the question on the Nov. 8 ballot asking voters to approve requiring folks to show an ID before casting a ballot.
After seven defeats in the Nebraska Legislature, Initiative 432 takes up the mantle of voter ID by attempting to amend the Nebraska Constitution to require a “valid” and “photographic” ID to cast a vote. Details such as absentee voting access to be determined.
The state must be required to provide this ID to those lacking such and pay for lost wages, all associated fees and/or reasonable remuneration of transportation and time spent attaining it.
May I suggest a minimum of $150 for each applicant? I’m sure the taxpayers would consider this to be a small price to pay for Ricketts’ assertion that “It’s one of the ways we can make people feel good about what we’re doing here.”
Ballotpedia.org lists the financial contributions to the above effort at $2,076,000 as of Aug 1. Of this total 90% was contributed by Pete Ricketts’ mother ($1,876,000). Another 9.6% was donated by Thomas Peed and his Sandhills Publishing company ($100,000 each).
My conclusion: Essentially, two billionaires are poised to buy an ill-defined and politically unpopular constitutional amendment with their 99.6% investment in the effort.
And sad, to say, the Ricketts appear nowhere near finished. Vote Democrat!
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The inaugural Kerrey Nelson Gala is taking place tonight, Oct. 14, in Omaha! For those who did not get tickets, we will be posting updates on social media about the event. So stay tuned!
And we hope to see you next year!
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Early Voting in person for the Nov. 8 Election has started at county election offices! Find yours here and see our Voter Guides showing the Dems running in each of Nebraska’s 93 counties!
You can use your Voter Guide as you fill out your Vote-by-Mail ballot, bring your Voter Guide with you if you are voting early in-person at your county election office or take it with you if you plan on voting in-person on Nov. 8 at your local polling location.
If you have any questions, email info@nebraskademocrats.or
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Our series of training for campaigns, led by state Sen. Carol Blood, continues.
The next session is Oct. 30: The End of the Road; How to handle winding down your campaign before and after the election (win or lose).
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The NDP has launched a “Flip that Bacon” website to target Rep. Don Bacon’s 2nd District congressional seat this year.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has CD2 as one of its 22 competitive House districts that are either open or held by Republicans.
Click here to go to the Flip that Bacon site.
At the bottom of the home page is a timeline slider listing Bacon’s gaffes and horrible votes and positions during his time in office.
Also, click here to download and share Flip that Bacon graphics on social media!
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In case you missed it, actor Wes Studl received the first Standing Bear Prize for Courage award Monday night at a sold-out banquet at Lincoln’s Lied Center to celebrate the award and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Studl is known for bringing “fully developed” Native American characters to the big screen, in movies ranging from “Dances with Wolves” to “Avatar.”
The Standing Bear Prize for Courage was created to honor those Native Americans who exemplify courage in the spirit of Standing Bear, according to Katie Brossy, board president of the Chief Standing Bear Project.
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There is one last debate in the CD2 races: State Sen. Tony Vargas faces off against Rep. Don Bacon on Oct.16.
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The Nebraska Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign and several candidates are looking for canvassers to go door-to-door to distribute literature and talk to voters.
The jobs pay $25 an hour. Training for the position is paid at the hourly rate.
Hours are flexible.
Please fill out this form and someone with our team will be in touch. Please spread the word with others you may think want to be paid $25 an hour to canvass for Democrats!
Any questions? Email info@nebraskademocrats.org..
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The NDP collaborated with graphic artist Justin Kemerling for a new five freedoms poster series. These will only be available at in-person fundraisers around the state. These will be available at the Kerrey Nelson dinner for VIP tickets-holders and for sale.
Right to Reproductive Freedom.
Right to the Future.
Right to Knowledge.
Right to Vote.
Right to Safety
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You can now request to vote by mail for the Nov. 8 election! Fill out this form and we’ll help you get a ballot.
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And speaking of the general election, see all of our great Democratic candidates!
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If you want to keep up on NDP happenings and get our weekly blog as well as our daily News Clips and Talking Points, just send an email to kevin@nebraskademocrats.org
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Help build the NDP and become a Monthly Donor to help us help Dems win in 2022 and beyond! We need your help!
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Join us on a Welcome-to-the-Party call!! We cover topics such as voter registration and redistricting.
The next call is Oct. 25 Sign up here.
If you have suggestions for topics to cover, please email gina@nebraskademocrats.org.
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Sign up to join our Block Captain program! You get assigned 50 voters in your neighborhood to reach out to. We provide the training and materials. You provide about 2 hours in September and 2 hours in October to help elect Dems!
Sign up here for an NDP Block Captain Training!
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Get your NDP swag at the NDP/Shirts 101 store! There are lots of designs from which to choose.
We leave you this week with a rendering by John Darkow.
–By Kevin O’Hanlon/NDP Communications Director
NOTE: If you’d like to receive #NebDems News via email, just let us know by sending a note to: info@nebraskademocrats.org
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See NDP events here.
IMPORTANT DATES
Various Dates: Zoom Phone Banks for Democrats!
Oct 14: Inaugural Kerrey Nelson Gala
Oct. 14: Patty Pansing Brooks Husker Volley Ball Day of Action – Lincoln
Oct. 15: State Central Committee meeting
Oct. 15-16: Patty for Congress Days of Action
Oct. 15-16: Team Tony Weekend of Action
Oct. 16: Debate Watch Party with Tony Vargas!
Oct. 18: Canvass in Avoca with Sarah Slattery
Oct. 22: Canvass with Helen Raikes for State Board of Education
Oct. 30: NDP candidate training with Sen. Carol Blood
Nov. 8: General Election
