Nebraska’s DNC delegation endorses Kamala Harris for president

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attends a moderated conversation with former Trump administration national security official Olivia Troye and former Republican voter Amanda Stratton on July 17, 2024, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Chris duMond/Getty Images)

LINCOLN — The 34-member Nebraska delegation to the Democratic National Convention pledged its support Monday to Vice President Kamala Harris and her campaign to replace President Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket.

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, celebrated the announcement as an indication of the local and national parties rallying around the vice president as someone who can unite the party around beating former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.

Kleeb said Harris represents a “new generation of Democrats” who will work to continue the five decades of work President Joe Biden has started. She said she expects the vice president to articulate “a new vision for America.”

“Nebraska is proud to stand with Kamala Harris and pledge our support to her,” Kleeb said in a statement. “The renewed energy across the state means more volunteers to knock doors and engage voters at the neighborhood level.”

The delegation also voted to encourage Harris and her campaign to host regional town halls to hear from voters in more parts of the country on “key issues” for Democrats, including climate change, immigration, reproductive rights and racial equity.

Organizing an old-fashioned convention

Nebraska Democrats, like their cohorts nationally, have spent the past day organizing local delegates who are headed to Chicago next month. Such delegates usually participate in a stage-managed coronation of a nominee picked by party voters. 

But now the delegates will be front and center in choosing a nominee to replace Biden after he withdrew from his re-election campaign Sunday. Biden’s decision thrust Harris into the spotlight as his most likely replacement in the 2024 race.

Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, campaigned in Omaha last week,  his fifth trip to the state. Biden and Harris have yet to visit Omaha in an official capacity. Trump has visited twice, in 2020 and 2022.

The Nebraska Republican Party had no immediate comment on the Democratic announcement. State GOP Chair Eric Underwood has said local Republicans agree with the national GOP, which said Democrats risk angering their voters and making their problems worse.

Many national political observers expect Democratic delegates to coalesce around Harris, a former prosecutor in San Francisco, attorney general of California and U.S. senator. However, history shows curveballs at a convention are possible. 

Local delegates excited

CJ King, a Douglas County Democrat who will be attending his fifth convention overall and second as a delegate, said the delegates understand the importance of the task. They get to choose a nominee for Nebraska Democrats who backed Biden.

“It is super cool,” King told the Examiner on Monday. “I’ve got a little bit of experience, but this one’s unique, that’s for sure. I’m excited. We’re making an endorsement, but there’s still a process that has to happen. It’s old school.”

Another Nebraska DNC delegate, State Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha, will be attending his first national convention. He said the chance to help pick Harris “would be amazing,” given her track record and political experience. 

“It would be historic to have someone like her at the top of the ticket for the party,” McKinney said. “She has been the vice president. She was in the Senate. … When you compare her to Trump, to me it’s a logical decision.”

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