State Senator Leaves Democratic Party After Four Decades, Registers as Republican Over Pro-Life Views

A longtime Nebraska lawmaker has formally severed ties with the Democratic Party after 40 years, citing deepening ideological divisions over abortion and religious liberty. State Sen. Mike McDonnell announced he has re-registered as a Republican, saying his pro-life convictions and Catholic faith made him a target within today’s Democratic Party.

McDonnell, a former firefighter and union leader, said party officials penalized him for refusing to abandon his beliefs on the sanctity of life.

“Today I’m announcing, I am now going to be a registered Republican in the state of Nebraska,” said, McDonnell, a former firefighter and union leader.

According to McDonnell, he repeatedly asked party leaders in Douglas County to respect his religious convictions.

“I asked the Democratic Party in Douglas County to respect that I’m pro-life, that I’m a member of the Roman Catholic Church. And my beliefs are based on that,” McDonnell said. “Douglas County Democrats instead of respecting it, they decided to punish it.”

McDonnell said the punishment came in the form of political exclusion and formal discipline.

“They said you cannot participate, you can’t be a delegate, we’re not gonna share our party resources,” he added. “I continue to vote pro-life. The state Democratic Party decided to censure me. I continue to vote pro-life.”

Democratic Party officials disputed McDonnell’s characterization, arguing the censure was rooted in policy priorities rather than religious discrimination.

“The Nebraska Democratic Party will continue to stand up for reproductive freedom and the human rights of the LGBTQ community. Our decision to censure Sen. McDonnell was never about him being a pro-life Catholic,” NDP chair Jane Kleeb said Wednesday in a statement.

“Our decision was based on our party reaffirming our core values to protect women’s ability to make health decisions and to keep politicians out of our personal health decisions. We respect the ongoing work of Senator McDonnell on behalf of unions and his commitment to protect a fair electoral vote system we have in our state,” Kleeb added.

McDonnell’s party switch carries immediate political consequences in Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan Legislature.

“McDonnell’s switch, confirmed by Douglas County election officials, gives the GOP 33 members in a one-house Legislature. That’s a significant number in a 49-member body with rules that require 33 votes to overcome a filibuster. Democrats would then hold 15 seats, plus a progressive who is a registered nonpartisan,” the Nebraska Examiner reported. “The Legislature is officially nonpartisan and often splits along different fault lines than political party. On controversial votes, however, senators tend to vote more often along party lines.”

The move comes as national polling continues to show strong public support for abortion limits, despite the issue’s contentious political framing.

A January 2026 survey of U.S. adults found that 67% of respondents favor legal limits on abortion, including restrictions on when the procedure may be performed. A similar majority supported laws designed to protect both mothers and unborn children.

The poll surveyed 1,408 adults nationwide on abortion-related issues, including trimester-based limits and conscience protections for healthcare workers.

Among respondents:

• 67% supported legal limits on abortion, even if the procedure remains available in many circumstances.
• 57% favored limiting elective abortion to no later than the first trimester in most situations.
• 63% said healthcare professionals with religious objections should not be forced to participate in abortions.
• A strong majority said laws can be written to protect both the mother and the unborn child.

The survey also found broad public approval for pregnancy resource centers that provide assistance to expectant mothers and families.

At the same time, the poll revealed a familiar paradox in abortion politics. While support for limits is widespread, more respondents identified as “pro-choice” than “pro-life,” with 62% describing themselves as pro-choice and 37% as pro-life.

Marist Poll Director Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho highlighted the underlying consensus often overlooked in public debate.

“Despite the publicly heated debates about abortion, there remains a consensus on this issue among Americans,” Carvalho noted, as reported by The Center Square.

Carvalho told the outlet, “Despite the publicly heated debates about abortion, there remains a consensus on this issue among Americans.”

“Americans believe abortion should be limited yet include exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother,” Carvalho said.