Nebraska’s anti-abortion governor pulls out of attending fundraiser for Stefanowski

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, co-chairperson of the Republican Governors Association and a pro-gun rights and anti-abortion conservative, has canceled his planned appearance in Connecticut today at a fundraising event for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski.

Liz Kurantowicz, Stefanowski’s senior adviser, said Monday that Ricketts “had a scheduling conflict” and cannot attend. The event, however, will still take place at a residence in Canton without Ricketts, she said.

A message was left seeking comment with Ricketts’ media spokesperson. An official schedule shows he has a news conference today in Nebraska to discuss the opening of a state transportation operations center and “out-of-state travel” commitments for the rest of the week.

Ricketts’ planned appearance, first announced last month, has drawn criticism from state Democrats who labeled the Nebraska governor an “extremist” and questioned why Stefanowski would want to host a governor who said he wants his state to outlaw abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. The planned visit prompted local Democrats to organize a “Rally for Choice and Gun Safety” at a school that’s near the fundraiser.

Katie Kenny, chairwoman of the Canton Democratic Town Committee, said Monday the group still plans to hold its rally.

“I believe that they thought that they could play a double game, where they’re saying that they’re moderate on these issues, but simultaneously raising money off bringing someone who is basically red meat for their base and who would fire people up and get people to donate a lot to Stefanowski,” she said.