LINCOLN, Neb. (Heartland Newsfeed) — The Libertarian Party of Nebraska published a news release Monday, describing recent Republican attacks aimed at state senator Laura Ebke (L-Crete) for hosting free Christmas movie screenings as “completely ridiculous”. The release also questioned whether the GOP applied the same criticisms and concerns regarding tailgate events hosted by Governor Pete Ricketts prior to college football games at the University of Nebraska.
The Nebraska GOP accused Ebke’s campaign committee for re-election of engaging in “ethically and legally questionable conduct” by hosting movie screenings within her legislative district.
The LPNE release continues, “These movie screenings were a gift to the communities which she serves, celebrating small theaters, and were an effort to bring communities together. If the Republican Party of Nebraska is so worried about elected officials holding social events, maybe they should be concerned about all the tailgate parties the governor has been holding before Husker games.”
Ebke changed her party registration to Libertarian from Republican last year in the height of the U.S. presidential election and is a candidate for re-election to the non-partisan General Assembly next year.
Ricketts, a Republican governor, will be seeking election to a second term.
As a result of the GOP’s deliberate attacks over the weekend, the Libertarian Party stated that the Republicans, as a desperate attempt, is “attempting to sway voters (by) creating and disseminating outright lies (in) an effort to tarnish Senator Ebke’s campaign” while showing an inability to “attack the senator’s track record of polices or her service to her constituents.”
While the GOP questions whether Ebke’s action in hosting constituents at free Christmas movie events violated Nebraska campaign laws, Ebke herself inquired with the state’s Accountability and Disclosure Commission before setting up the events to ensure such activities did not conflict with state law.
Ebke had
added in a post on the LPNE website that she and her father Ron Schwab, a practicing attorney for over 50 years, looked through the rules and the NADC ruled that her campaign was not in violation of any laws.
Ebke is facing a challenge by Republican candidate Al Riskowski, who has received endorsements from Ricketts, as well as other top GOP officials.
