The effort to establish a “Nebraska Working People Party” has not been well received by the state’s leaders in organized labor, with the new party’s sponsor being asked this week to “reconsider” the endeavor.
In a letter addressed to the proposed party’s sponsor, Robin Richards, obtained by Courier Nebraska, a cadre of union officials affiliated with the Nebraska State AFL-CIO voiced concerns about the new party splitting the state’s “pro-labor vote” and said the party’s founding would be a “disaster for working people in Nebraska.”
“We are reaching out to you to ask, earnestly, that you reconsider the founding of the Nebraska Working People Party,” the letter began. “At this moment, when we finally have a chance to end one-party rule in Nebraska, the creation of this party will lead to great damage.”
While Richards, a member of the Ralston Public Schools board and perennial legislative candidate in District 12, is a registered Democrat, her mysterious campaign to establish this new party has been met with skepticism from state Democrats and interested groups who see it as an attempt to peel away votes from progressive office seekers—namely, Independent candidate for US Senate Dan Osborn.
Richards’ political ties have also come under scrutiny. Her recent legislative campaign was largely financed by the Omaha-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 22, according to campaign disclosures. IBEW Local 22 has, notably, not endorsed Osborn’s bid for Senate.
In the letter, Richards’ previous collaboration with labor groups was acknowledged, but the labor leaders forecast a “grim future” if her new party were successfully established, “allowing Republicans to push through an anti-worker agenda unchallenged.”
The runway to officially create this new party was short from the start. Filing to form on June 25, the group had a little more than two weeks—with a deadline of July 15—to collect 6,728 signatures from registered in-state voters to officially establish the party.
Meeting this standard would bypass a party’s typical primary election and the Nebraska Working People Party could then nominate candidates for this year’s US Senate and House races.
“We ask you to reconsider,” the letter said. “The impact, if you file these signatures, will be disastrous for working people. We will consider it a terrible blow to our cause and will be unable to collaborate with you or support you in the future.”
If Richards is successful in gathering the required signatures, the letter warned that labor groups would be “forced to campaign relentlessly” against the party and any candidates involved.
Lastly, the leaders behind the letter requested to speak with Richards before she turns in signatures to the Secretary of State’s office.
“We have considered you a friend to labor and we reach out, as friends, in the hope that we can find a better way to advance the goals we share,” the letter concluded.
In total, 15 local labor officials signed onto the letter, including Nebraska AFL-CIO President Mike Gage, IBEW Local 2366 President Dianna O’Brien, IW Local 21 Business Manager William Fuller, among others.
Courier Nebraska reached out to Richards for comment, also asking for a signature collection update, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
A request for comment and signature collection update was also sent to the sponsor of another proposed new party—the America First Party—which was seemingly launched in response to the Nebraska Working People Party. No response was received by the time of publication.
Read the full letter sent to Richards below.
