(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Suzanne Geist’s Threat To Lincoln’s Future [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-04-11 The final, unofficial results are in for the Lincoln City elections and the results are encouraging for Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the Democrats. They are as follows: Leirion Gaylor Baird 49.6% Suzanne Geist 33% Stan Parker 17% In an interview with the Nebraska Examiner, Paul Landow, a retired political science professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said Gaylor Baird is in “a strong position, regardless of whether she crosses the 50% threshold. Geist would have to consolidate the base of a divided party in a way that is difficult to do….When you’re an incumbent who is that close to 50%, barring unforeseen circumstances, you’re going to win anyway,” he said. The Democrats are also well positioned to maintain their 6–1 commanding majority on the City Council. Incumbent James Michael Bowers finished first in north Lincoln. In open seat races, Justin Carlson and Brodey Weber are the favorites to replace outgoing Democratic incumbents. Because unemployment in Lincoln is at a record low of 2%, crime dominated the primary election. Last fall, GOP County Attorney Pat Condon “endorsed” Leirion’s public safety record. He told the voters: “I mean, Lincoln generally is a safe place.” In one of her ads, Geist made the case for a second term for Leirion. In that ad, Geist said that she and her husband chose Lincoln to make their home because it is a “great city.” She adds her kids are doing the same. It’s the only honest TV ad that Geist is running. Otherwise, she is running a campaign of lies and smears. You govern the way you campaign. That should give the voters pause. Geist resigned her seat in the state legislature on April 5 in order to prioritize her ambition instead of her former constituents. Governor Jim Pillen has already appointed a successor who will tow the MAGA Republican line. There clearly was a backroom deal. Nebraska Democratic Chair Jane Kleeb, in a statement on Twitter, called Geist a “quitter” and questioned whether she did not want to vote on “the hate-filled MAGA bills.” The Nebraska Democratic Party also said in an emailed statement that Geist resigned because she “doesn’t want to face the repercussions of taking the hard votes” on these extreme measures. Geist’s surprise resignation means she won’t have to vote again on the MAGA gun bill that would allow people to conceal carry guns without a background check and training. What could possibly go wrong? Not withstanding her tiger talk on crime, Geist isn’t serious about public safety. She already voted for the MAGA concealed carry bill on March 3. Geist can’t wash away her radical past so easily by quitting. The reality is that Geist herself is a threat to public safety. Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins stated that Geist’s gun bill would threaten the lives of police officers if it passed. Opponents of Geist’s irresponsible gun bill pointed to recent research that indicated that these kinds of laws lead to more crime and more violence. A report by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that such laws increase firearm homicides by 13% and firearm violent crimes by 29%. Geist is also a threat to Lincoln’s future. As a state senator, Geist has pandered to the most extreme elements of the MAGA Republican base by voting for a near total abortion ban and against LGBTQ employment protections. She supports the hateful bill to end gender affirming medical care for minors. A Mayor Geist would make enforcing a state abortion ban a high priority. For example, police would seize women’s phones and computers to get access to apps where they track their periods. Don’t say it can’t happen here. Virginia GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin ran as a phony moderate and he has blocked a bill banning police from seeking menstrual histories. Geist would bring the GOP’s toxic culture war to Lincoln and divide the city. This would chase away businesses and young people. Lincoln would have the reputation as an unwelcoming and MAGA city. That would only exacerbate our labor shortage. Are you fed up with MAGA Republicans? Had enough? Tired of the MAGA abortion bans? The mass shootings? I am! You can fight back by voting for Leirion Gaylor Baird for mayor of Lincoln. It’s progress versus radicalism on May 2. On to victory! 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