LINCOLN- After receiving an insufficient amount of votes, Gov. Ricketts stated that a special session would not be held to consider the matter of abortion in Nebraska after the overturning of Roe V. Wade. Since then, several candidates for different levels of office in Nebraska have expressed their worries, their hopes, and their plans for the future of abortion in the state at the behest of their constituents.

According to John Hibbing, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, many candidates could just state whether they were ‘for’ or ‘against’ abortion prior to the overturning of Roe V. Wade. Now, however, Hibbing stated that constituents want more solid and explicit plans from each of their candidates now that an abortion ban is possible.

Some candidates have complied with their constituents wishes, like legislative candidate Stu Dornan, who clarified that, while he is anti-abortion, he wouldn’t be opposed to specific exceptions for rape, incest, and life-saving procedures. “I believe my views are consistent with a majority in my district,” Dornan stated.

Hibbing stated that the massive focus on abortion rights in the coming month may give Democratic candidates a slight edge in their respective races, but that it likely won’t be enough to win many of the previously Republican-held seats.

Democratic candidates have been complying with their constituents' demands for transparency for the most part, but for many, it may not be enough. Jane Kleeb, Nebraska Democratic State Party chair, stated that Nebraska democratic candidates are mostly okay with the current 20-week abortion cutoff in the state.

“Pushing for a more permissive statute in Nebraska,” says Hibbing, “would be a huge strategic error for Democrats who, given the Court’s recent decision in Dobbs, would be more than satisfied with the status quo.”

Given the fact that a large amount of Republican support would be necessary, it would be almost impossible for Democrats in Nebraska to pass any legislation that would make abortion any more lenient than it already is.

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