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Nebraska legislative candidate Tim Anderson lost three Republican endorsements after accepting $750,000 from a campaign backing online sports betting legalization.
Pete Ricketts, Joey Spellerberg and Mike Foley withdrew their support, according to KHGI. Anderson, the mayor of Sutton, is running for the District 38 seat in south-central Nebraska.
Donation Ties District 38 Race to Wagering Measures
Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission documents show Tax Relief Nebraska donated the money to Tim Anderson for Legislature on Oct. 27. At least one commercial supporting Initiatives 440 and 441 is paid for by Anderson’s campaign, KHGI reported.
Tax Relief Nebraska is the campaign behind those measures. They would legalize online sports wagering and direct more than $166 million to property tax relief, according to the ballot pamphlet description.
Ricketts said Republicans were working as a unified coalition against the initiatives. Spellerberg also urged voters to reject both measures.
Save Nebraska Sports criticized Anderson in a statement following the endorsement withdrawals.
“We are disappointed that Tim Anderson chose to support online sports betting rather than protecting our young people and college sports,” the group said.
Tax Relief Campaign Challenges Endorsement Withdrawals
Tax Relief Nebraska called the decision a double standard, citing contributions involving Spellerberg’s campaign.
The group said Save Nebraska Sports contributed $975,000 to Common Sense Nebraska during this campaign cycle. It said Common Sense Nebraska then contributed $965,000 to Spellerberg’s campaign through two donations on Oct. 14.
Anderson told KHGI he supports property tax relief and wants to hear both sides of the wagering debate.
“I’ll support any responsible idea that helps solve the property tax crisis driving families and farmers out of our state,” Anderson said.
His District 38 opponent, Janell Anderson Ehrke, criticized his acceptance of the contribution.
“Willfully taking this kind of donation, in my view, speaks to a lack of good judgment, prudence, and independence,” she said.
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Source: As reported by KHGI.
