Nebraska lawmakers override governor's veto, abolish death penalty

Ernie Chambers
(Image credit: AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Nebraska became the first conservative state to repeal the death penalty in decades on Wednesday, as state lawmakers narrowly voted to override Gov. Pete Ricketts' (R) veto of the bill.

The Omaha World-Herald notes that 30 of Nebraska's 49 senators must vote to overturn a gubernatorial veto; the state's senators voted 30-19 to override Ricketts' veto. The repeal marks a victory for independent Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha (pictured), who has spent four decades lobbying for the death penalty's abolishment.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.