LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A Nebraska state senator has left the Republican Party and registered as a Libertarian.
Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete switched her registration after Gov. Pete Ricketts publicly criticized her and several other GOP senators for not adhering to the party’s platform during a convention speech last month. Ebke said Wednesday she was also motivated to leave because she believes the party is changing, and she doesn’t support Donald Trump for president.
Ebke says she still holds conservative beliefs on taxes, spending and education, but disagrees with the party on some social issues.
Ebke is halfway through her first term in the Legislature. Now that she has switched parties, the Legislature has 35 Republicans, 12 Democrats, one Libertarian and one left-leaning independent.