Nebraska Democrats struggle with 'dumpster fire' reputation
In this Nov. 4, 2016, photo, Nebraska Democratic Party chairwoman Jane Kleeb is about to introduce Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, in Omaha, Neb. The 29% of Nebraska voters registered as Democrats is the smallest in at least 50 years, and thats only one indication of the partys problems. The local Republican Party chapter in Omaha put it bluntly in a recent tweet: Nebraska Dems have a dumpster fire on their hands." Or as former Nebraska Democratic Party executive director Paul Landow noted, For a Democrat to win statewide office, something really crazy would have to happen.It wasn't always this way. Nebraska Democrats have fared somewhat better in local elections and the nonpartisan Legislature, but theyre still relegated to the minority.