Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb commented Thursday on the unrest and undemocratic approach by the Nebraska Republican Party of credentialing delegates for their state convention this weekend in Kearney.
“The Republican Party screeches about freedom of speech and then turns around and treats grassroots leaders of their party with Putin’s playbook of silencing any opposition,” said Chair Kleeb. “The way Ricketts is treating grassroots members of his own party is no different than how he governs — which is one-party, one-ideaology and one-voice rule. Voters can now see it is not Jim Pillen who will lead the state if he were to win the governor’s race, we will have Ricketts running the state with a small circle of political consultants. We need new leadership and new blood to turn around a corrupt one-party rule in our state. Carol Blood offers voters of all political parties a seat at the table.”
Background: Republican Party members have been posting on social media copies of letters they received from the state party saying they were being denied credentials to this weekend’s Republican State Convention because, to use the GOP’s letter rationale, “…your vocal criticism of Governor Ricketts, the top Republican elected official in the state and leader of our party, caused the Committee to decline to credential you.”
The full contents of the letter the Nebraska Republican Party sent:
I’m writing to inform you that the 2022 NEGOP State Convention Credentials Committee has voted to decline to credential you for the 2022 NEGOP State Convention in Kearney, which runs July 8-9, 2022. This means that you will not be admitted to the 2022 NEGOP’ State Convention.
This is a very serious decision that was debated extensively. Ultimately, your vocal criticism of Governor Ricketts, the top Republican elected official in the state and leader of our party, caused the Committee to decline to credential you.
The NEGOP will refund your registration, and we encourage you to support our Republican nominees as we enter the fall campaign.