Nebraska county GOP groups around the state have fully embraced the alt-right mentality, to the extent that no self-respecting Republican wants to be associated with them. Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Saunders Counties are prime examples of this shift in mentality from traditional conservatism to hardline tactics and beliefs that bear striking similarities with Hitler’s fascist regime.
Never mind Trump’s “unified reich” video and Project 2025, both of which give all of us a taste of the vision he and his “loyalists” have for the United States, or the fact that Trump refers to anyone who opposes him as “vermin” and talk of immigrants “poisoning the blood of our country.” Trump is a convenient mouthpiece and vehicle for the alt-right’s ambitions to erode and ultimately eradicate our nation’s freedoms. These extremists have explicitly stated they want an end to:
- Women’s reproductive rights
- Rights for LGBTQIA people
- Public schools, unless those public schools cater to their Christian agenda
- Separation of church and state
- Immigration and civil rights for non-white people
We can cite multiple sources showing this, but a look at the social media posts of your local county GOP and its most virulent members are comparable to those of white nationalist hate groups all over the United States. The belief that we’re “at war” (https://forwardnebraska.substack.com/p/we-are-at-war) is probably the best example of the thoughts permeating the minds of the alt-right. Furthermore, they see themselves as victims, while conveniently excusing the dehumanizing and violent rhetoric that Trump himself has spouted over the past decade.
The way Trump energizes people with lies that feed into their scapegoatism is exactly how movements like this grow. The similarities to Mein Kampf are striking. Look at how many elected officials are participating in county GOP parties that have taken stances comparable to fascism and alt-right Christian nationalism.
Cass County GOP
Robert Sorenson, Cass County Sheriff, Brook McConnaughey, Cass County Clerk of the District Court, and Robert Clements, Senator for District 2, are some of the elected officials who attend Cass County GOP meetings. It is clear that we need strong contenders against Sorenson and McConnaughey in the next election, as having these people in these roles while also aligning themselves with alt-right extremists is problematic.
The Cass County GOP meetings are closed, and gate kept by their chair, Tracy Zeorian, who operates from an alarmist agenda. As one new resident in the county learned, their presence is only welcome if they register as a Republican.
We are well aware of the divisive rhetoric and conspiracy theories peddled at meetings in Cass, Sarpy and Saunders County GOP meetings, as well as the events held at Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland by domestic hate groups such as Protect Nebraska Children.
Having your local sheriff, court clerk, senator, and candidates for office (such as Linda Vermooten, Liz Davids, Lisa Schonhoff, Stacy Matula, Ed Weniger, and Allie French) involved in such meetings should make everyone stand up and take notice.
As we’ve said before, it is sad that so many people full of fear and hate have embraced the snowball of lies told by Trump, from election denial to post-birth abortions. Those who rally around him have created a nonsensical world from which there seems to be no intellectual or emotional escape.
We feel sorry for them, though we know our words and concern for their mental health won’t reach or help them. But maybe they will reach a loved one who can help pull them out of that world.