Gov. Pete Ricketts contributed $50,000 to the Nebraska Republican Party last week, six days before Tuesday's primary election. Â
The funding was noted in a report of a late contribution filed with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. Such reports are required for contributions made within 14 days of an election.
Ricketts has been playing an active role in this year's legislative elections and is openly opposing the re-election of at least one incumbent state senator who is a fellow Republican.
But the $50,000 contribution is about more than that, gubernatorial spokesman Taylor Gage said Monday.
"The governor has supported the Nebraska GOP and legislative candidates for over a decade," Gage said.
"He has continued to do so this election cycle by endorsing several Republicans in legislative races and contributing to the state party to support their operations and organizational efforts for the national convention."
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Ricketts has endorsed Steve Halloran of Hastings in his primary contest with Sen. Les Seiler of Hastings and recently attended a fundraiser for Halloran.
On Monday, the governor was keynote speaker at a luncheon in Kearney supporting John Lowe in his bid to succeed term-limited Sen. Galen Hadley, Speaker of the Legislature. Both of Lowe's primary opponents are also Republicans.
"Being a small business owner, I know that to grow our economy and create jobs, we must hold the line on government spending and lower the tax burden," Lowe said.
"If elected, I look forward to working with Gov. Ricketts to grow Nebraska," he said.Â
Ricketts is also supporting Mike Hilgers in his 21st District legislative contest in Lincoln and Lancaster County. Both of his opponents in the race to succeed term-limited Sen. Ken Haar of Malcolm are Democrats.
Two gubernatorial appointees, Sens. Nicole Fox of Omaha and David Schnoor of Scribner, also have the governor's public support. Â
Schnoor will automatically move on to the general election because he has only one opponent in Tuesday's primary. The top two vote-getters in each legislative district will meet in a November showdown.
Fox would appear to be the only endangered legislative incumbent in Tuesday's election. A Republican, she faces two opponents who are Democrats in a strongly Democratic South Omaha district.Â