OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Democrats in Nebraska, the only state in the past century that has split its electoral votes between presidential candidates from two different parties, are hoping to do so again if the GOP remains divided over presumptive nominee Donald Trump.
Vince Powers, the state’s Democratic chairman, predicted Wednesday that Trump will dampen Republican turnout and drive away minority support in the 2nd Congressional District – a largely urban area that includes Omaha and its suburbs.
“Donald Trump is radioactive,” Powers said. “He is a sexist and a racist. He praises tyrants. He criticizes our NATO allies. Every day since he’s been declared the winner, I’ve had Republicans coming up to me, saying, ‘I’m voting for the Democrat.'”
Although Americans cast their votes for president in November, the choice won’t become official until the next month when the Electoral College convenes. Only Nebraska and Maine have rules in place to choose their electors based on congressional district results rather than award them all to the statewide winner.
In 2008, Barack Obama won the Omaha district while the rest of the state solidly backed Republican John McCain. It was the first time Nebraska has cast even a single electoral vote for a Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson won the state in his landslide victory over Barry Goldwater in 1964.