Death penalty coalitions go to work in Lincoln

Two separate groups, arguing opposite sides of the death penalty, are putting plans in motion to sway voters to their side ahead of the November general election.

Last Spring, the Nebraska Unicameral voted 30-17, and overcame a veto from Governor Pete Ricketts, to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment.

A group known as “Retain A Just Nebraska” launched their campaign on Wednesday, with the mission to “make sure the death penalty does not return to Nebraska,” according to a press release issued Wednesday morning.

“I am supporting this campaign because I want Nebraska citizens to have the benefit of hearing what I heard for eight years in the Legislature,” said Republican State Senator Colby Coash in the release.

On the other side of the isle, a coalition led by “Nebraskans for the Death Penalty” are planning a launch of their latest campaign, “Repeal the Repeal.”

The group issued a press release this afternoon, solidifying their own stance moving forward.

“This year Nebraskans will be asked in a historic vote to decide the future of the death penalty in our state,” said Nebraskans for the Death Penalty Co-Founder Bob Evnen in the release. “Nebraskans for the Death Penalty will lead a coalition that believes the death penalty is just punishment for the most heinous of crimes, offers protection to public safety officials including correctional officers, serves as a deterrent to unspeakable acts, and protects the public from the most dangerous in our society who have demonstrated a disregard for life.”