Nebraska's a 'sea of Red', but the 2nd congressional district swings

Nebraska, located in the Great Plains region, joined the Union in 1867. The state is known for its agriculture, particularly corn production, and its relatively small population compared to other states. Nebraska holds 5 electoral votes, and its unique system of allocating electoral votes by congressional district makes it a key state to watch during presidential elections, especially since it sometimes splits its votes between parties.

Who are the voters?

According to the US Census Bureau’s 2020 report, Nebraska’s population is predominantly White at 83.8 per cent. Black or African American residents make up 5.3 per cent of the population, while Hispanic or Latino individuals represent 12.1 per cent, and around 2.9 per cent identify as Asian. Approximately 4.3 per cent of the population identifies as two or more races. Nebraska has a significant rural voter base, though urban centres like Omaha and Lincoln are growing in political importance.

Nebraska’s voter base reflects an urban-rural divide, with Republicans typically dominating rural areas, while Democrats have stronger support in the more urban congressional districts, notably Omaha.

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Is it Democrat or Republican?

Nebraska is traditionally a Republican stronghold. In the 2020 election, Donald Trump won the majority of the state’s electoral votes with 58.2 per cent, while Joe Biden garnered 39.2 per cent. In 2016, Trump won with 59.9 per cent, compared to Hillary Clinton’s 34.4 per cent. In 2012, Mitt Romney won with 60.1 per cent, while Barack Obama received 38.2 per cent. However, Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Omaha, allocated one electoral vote to Joe Biden in 2020, continuing a trend seen in 2008 when Barack Obama won that district.

Is it a swing state?

Nebraska is not typically considered a swing state, though its unique electoral vote allocation system does make it a state to watch. The 2nd Congressional District can sometimes flip between parties, as seen in both the 2008 and 2020 elections when Democrats won that district’s vote, making Nebraska partially competitive.

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Has it given the US a president?

Nebraska-born Gerald Ford served as the 38th President of the United States from 1974 to 1977. He was previously the leader of the Republican Party in the US House of Representatives from 1965 to 1973.

If there is any memorable election for the state?

The 2008 and 2020 elections were notable for Nebraska, as they marked instances where the state split its electoral votes, with the 2nd Congressional District voting for the Democratic candidate. These splits were significant because Nebraska, along with Maine, is one of only two states that allocate electoral votes by congressional district rather than a winner-takes-all system.