| Mike McDonnell | |
| Office: | Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 5th district |
| Term Start: | January 4, 2017 |
| Predecessor: | Heath Mello |
| Birth Date: | 15 January 1966 |
| Birth Place: | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Party: | Republican (from 2024) |
| Otherparty: | Democratic (until 2024) |
| Children: | 1 |
| Residence: | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Alma Mater: | University of Nebraska Omaha, Bellevue University |
Mike McDonnell (born January 15, 1966) is an American politician who serves in the Nebraska Legislature, representing the 5th district. He was a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party in 2024 after being censured by the Nebraska Democratic Party for voting for anti-abortion legislation and a ban on transgender medical procedures for those under the age of 18.[1] [2] [3]
McDonnell was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School in 1984, the year he joined the Nebraska Democratic Party. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 1992, an associate's degree in fire protection technology in 1996, and a master's degree from Bellevue University in 2014.[4]
McDonnell was a former chief of Omaha Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 385 for the City of Omaha under Mayor Al Veys. On November 8, 2013, Mike retired as Fire Chief from the Omaha Fire Department after 24 years.[5] He also served with union groups Omaha Federation of Labor and AFL-CIO.
Unlike any other United States legislature, the Nebraska Legislature is unicameral. Its members are elected without any official reference to political party affiliation. In 2016, McDonnell ran for the Legislature against Gilbert Ayala. Ayala is a member of the Republican Party and finished second in the 2016 nonpartisan primary, which saw McDonnell and Gilbert Ayala advance to that general election. McDonnell defeated Ayala in the general election with nearly 70% of the vote.
In 2020, McDonell won reelection after defeating Ayala again, but with a lower margin, of 63.2% of the vote.
McDonell could not run for re-election in 2024 due to term limits.
McDonnell has stated that he was transparent about his anti-abortion stance when he ran for the Legislature in 2016. He has also stated his support for “heartbeat bills”. He backed failed legislation that would have banned abortion in Nebraska outright. In response, he was denied a voting role in the Douglas County Democratic Party by a vote of 17-3, with members determining his beliefs conflicted with the party's pro-choice platform.[6]
LGBTQ Nebraskans and allies have criticized Senator McDonnell for being the only Democrat in the Nebraska Legislature to support LB574, the “Adopt the Let Them Grow Act”, which bans transgender medical procedures for those under the age of 18.[7]
McDonnell has opposed Republican efforts to move Nebraska to a winner-take-all electoral vote system for President, and as of 2024 is considered one of the deciding votes. Nebraska is one of two states (Maine being the other) that splits its electoral votes by congressional district. On September 19, 2024, McDonnell said he was a no on winner-take-all "as of today," though he was under pressure from many Republicans, including Donald Trump and Lindsey Graham,[8] to change his position in what could be a decisive vote that might determine the outcome of the presidential election.[9] [10] McDonnell said four days later that he stood firm on his position and had recommended to governor Jim Pillen that the matter be submitted for a possible constitutional amendment.[11]
Political insiders have stated McDonnell is strongly considering a mayoral run in 2025, though he has not confirmed nor denied a mayoral campaign.
He told WOWT in an interview: “If I decide to run for Mayor or not decide to run for Mayor, I’m not going to base my votes in the Unicameral on possibly running for Mayor or any office in the future”.[12] He confirmed to the Nebraska Examiner that he is considering a run for Omaha mayor in 2025.
In response to McDonnell's positions around abortion and transgender healthcare, some Nebraska Democrats, especially the state chapter of Stonewall Democrats, proposed censuring the Senator. Following a meeting in Scottsbluff on July 15, 2023, the Nebraska Democratic Party officially censured McDonnell.[13] [14] [15]
McDonnell is married to his wife Amy. He is Roman Catholic and resides in South Omaha, Nebraska. He has one child.