Mike McDonnell

Mike McDonnell (born January 15, 1966) is an American politician who serves in the Nebraska Legislature, representing the 5th district. He is a registered Democrat.[1][2]

Mike McDonnell
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 5th district
Assumed office
January 4, 2017
Preceded byHeath Mello
Personal details
Born (1966-01-15) January 15, 1966
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Amy Grosse
​
(m. 1993)​
Children1
Residence(s)Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Nebraska Omaha, Bellevue University
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life and education

McDonnell was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School in 1984. 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.[3]

Career

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 of service to the citizens of Omaha.[4] He also served with union group like Omaha Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.[3]

Nebraska Legislature

In 2016 he ran for the Legislature against Republican Gilbert Ayala. Ayala, a Republican, finished second in the nonpartisan primary, which saw McDonnell and Gilbert Ayala advance to the general election. McDonnell defeated Ayala in the general election with nearly 70% of the vote and In 2020 reelection he defeated Ayala with 63.2% of the vote.

Abortion

McDonnell, in an interview Thursday at the Capitol, said he was upfront when he ran for the Legislature in 2016 about being anti-abortion and about his Catholic faith. He said he has been a Democrat since 1984. He also said his support of the “heartbeat bill” would remain the same whether he was the bill’s 15th vote, 49th vote or 33rd vote. He backed legislation last year that would have banned abortion outright, That legislation failed to pass. In responses, he is being denied a voting role in the Douglas County Democratic party by a 17-3, as members believe some of his beliefs don’t align with the party’s values.[5]

LGBTQ rights

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 gender-altering procedures for those under 18 year old. [6][5]

Possible run for 2025 Omaha mayoral bid

Political insiders tell us McDonnell is strongly considering a Mayoral run in 2025, though he wouldn’t confirm that with 6 News Thursday.

He says to WOWT “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”.[7] Nebraska Examiner to the senator confirmed he is considering a run for Omaha mayor in 2025.[8]

Nebraska Democratic Party Censure

After one Democratic state senator supported a stricter abortion ban and restrictions on transgender health care, some Nebraskans Democrats especially Stonewall Democrats are advancing a censure resolution they say could decide the party’s future. Jane Kleeb met in Scottsbluff on July 15, 2023 for resolution.[9]

After the meeting, Nebraska Democratic Party official pass censure against Senator Mike McDonnell.[10], McDonnell told the Nebraska Examiner he plans to sit down with Jane Kleeb, and C.J. King, chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party, and have a discussion. [8]

The proposed censure and admonishment of me by the Nebraska Democratic Party, because I am pro-life, is not going to change my informed conscience and religious beliefs!

—McDonnell response to censure [8]

Personal life

McDonnell is married to his wife Amy. He is Roman Catholic and resides in South Omaha, Nebraska. He has one child.[3]

Electoral history

2016
Nebraska's 5th Legislative District Election, 2016[11][12]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike McDonnell 2,036 76.0
Republican Gilbert Ayala 641 24.0
Total votes 2,677 100.0
General election
Democratic Mike McDonnell 7,120 70.1
Republican Gilbert Ayala 3,028 29.8
Total votes 10,148 100.00
Democratic hold

2020
Main article: 2020 Nebraska State Legislature election § District 5
Nebraska's 5th Legislative District Election, 2020
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike McDonnell (incumbent) 3,578 70.0
Republican Gilbert Ayala 1,536 30.0
Total votes 5,114 100.0
General election
Democratic Mike McDonnell (incumbent) 6,947 63.2
Republican Gilbert Ayala 4,053 36.8
Total votes 11,000 100.0
Democratic hold

References
  1. "Legislative District 5: McDonnell eyes compromise; Ayala is 'strong conservative'". Omaha.com. 2016-09-15. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  2. "Mike McDonnell has been through the fire". Journalstar.com. 2017-01-29. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  3. "Sen. Mike McDonnell — Biography". news.legislature.ne.gov. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  4. "Meet Mike McDonnell". University of Nebraska Omaha. 2015-02-19.
  5. Sanderford, Aaron. "McDonnell in crosshairs of fellow Dems on abortion, trans debates". www.nebraskaexaminer.com.
  6. Wendling, Zach. "Nebraska lawmakers narrowly advance trans health care bill after internal chaos debates". www.nebraskaexaminer.com.
  7. Lundak, Marlo. "Douglas County Democrats deny Sen. McDonnell delegate voting role in party". www.wowt.com.
  8. Wendling, Zach. "Nebraska Democrats pass on censure, seek new action after failing to reach quorum". nebraskaexaminer.com.
  9. Wendling, Zach. "Nebraska Democrats to consider 'inflection point' censure of State Sen. Mike McDonnell". nebraskaexaminer.com.
  10. Staff, Nebraska Democratic Party. "Statement from NDP Officers, Stonewall Democrats, Secular Democrats and Nebraska Young Democrats". nebraskademocrats.org.
  11. "PRIMARY ELECTION MAY 10, 2016" (PDF). Secretary of State Nebraska. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  12. "NE Legislature 05 2016". Our Campaigns. Retrieved February 25, 2023.


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