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Matt Innis, elected chairman of the Lancaster County Republican Party last year, has resigned and former conservative radio show host Jack Riggins was elected to replace him. Riggins, who left KLIN last year and then sued his replacement host for defamation, was elected the new chairman on Aug. 20, not long after Innis’ sudden resignation.
Innis, who challenged then-U.S. Sen.
Ben Sasse in 2020 and served as the county’s chairman from 2011-15, was reelected a year ago. He hung up when asked by a reporter why he resigned. Matthew Innis The pro-Trump Innis was part of the far-right takeover of the state GOP two years ago during a tumultuous state GOP convention.
He was among six party members who had their credentials revoked so they couldn’t serve as delegates at the state GOP convention, and was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and second-degree trespassing when he tried to enter. He was never formally charged , and during the convention where delegates voted to oust Chairman Dan Welch , a majority of delegates voted to reinstate him. A week after Innis was elected chairman of the Lancaster County GOP, a district judge signed a protection order against him , barring him from contacting his wife, who had filed for divorce in January.
About three months later, the judge dismissed the order . Riggins has faced his own share of controversy. As KLIN’s drive-time host he aired unverified anonymous allegations of sexual assault against Adam Morfeld , and in his role as interim communications director for the Nebraska GOP he tweeted graphic images to make a point about what he thought were inappropriate books in Nebraska schools.
Riggins A year later, in April 2023, his last Drive-Time show aired, and he was replaced by Dan Parsons , a public relations and political consultant. Earlier this year, Riggins sued Parsons for defamation alleging tweets Parsons posted falsely claimed Riggins was fired. Parsons tweeted the comments after KLIN terminated his contract.
In an email to Lancaster County Republicans, Riggins thanked Innis for his service and said he hopes to “heal and reconcile” differences in the party and “grow the party in the tradition of big tent history” and shared conservative values. The county party’s goal is to win elections, he said, and in Lancaster County “we are getting crushed by the radical left-wing agenda.” Lincoln’s mayor is a Democrat, its City Council and County Board have Democratic majorities.
Wahoo players pray in the locker room ahead of their match against Ashland-Greenwood on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Wahoo High School. Lincoln Southeast's Zayvion Campbell (left), Lincoln Southwest's Nathan Mensah (center) and Southeast's Mason Mehta (right) dive after the ball in the end zone during the second quarter on Friday at Seacrest Field.
The play resulted in a Lincoln Southwest touchback. Ian Plumlee, of Lincoln, dances with his daughter, Josephine, 4, as Sandy Creek Pickers performs during the Nebraska Bluegrass Concert Series on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, on Nebraska Innovation Campus.
Jeff Gold speaks after being installed as the University of Nebraska's ninth president during an investiture ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. Junior Dylan Zephier (center) dances with senior Jordyn Guse next to senior Helina Cooper (back left) and freshman Liam Hoffschneider during a Unified music class, Thursday, Sept.
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Nebraska's Leyla Blackwell (11) throws a volleyball into the stands before the match against TCU on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Center. The Huskers run on to the field to kickoff the game against UTEP on Saturday, Aug.
31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska's MJ Sherman (48) sacks UTEP's Skyler Locklear (9) during the first quarter of the UTEP game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium.
Norfolk Catholic players line up on the field before during the game against Bishop Neumann on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at Bishop Neumann in Wahoo. Nebraska's Isaiah Neyor (18) catches a 59-yard touchdown pass while defended by UTEP's Jaylon Shelton (9) in the second quarter, on Saturday, Aug.
31, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska's Bergen Reilly (2) watches a husker light show as a highlight reel of last year plays before the match on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center.
Lincoln Christian's Truman Paulsen holds the Spirit Sword after defeating Lincoln Lutheran on Friday at Aldrich Field. New University of Nebraska-Lincoln students run out onto the field during the tunnel walk tradition at Memorial Stadium on Friday. Framed through a children's play set, Jordyn Anderson, 3, pushes her friend Jordan Lara, 4, in a Cozy Coupe toy at the playground outside at Las Abejitas' location at First Lutheran Church on Friday.
Las Abejitas, one of only two bilingual child care centers in Lincoln, is opening a second location at First-Plymouth Church in September. Waverly celebrates after defeating Lincoln Lutheran in five sets Thursday at Lincoln Lutheran High School. Thursday afternoon's football game between Lincoln East and Elkhorn South was postponed due to weather.
The teams will make up the game Friday at Seacrest Field. Lincoln East's Deacon Gehle (from left) and Presley Hall practice passing back anf forth while waiting out a rain delay at Seacrest Field on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
From left, U.S. Sens.
Deb Fischer, Pete Ricketts, 3rd District Congressman Adrian Smith, 1st District Congressman Mike Flood and 2nd District Congressman Don Bacon attended the annual summit hosted by the Nebraska, Omaha and Lincoln chambers of commerce on Thursday at Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Runners, including Tyler Pooschke (first left) and Mak Krause (right) are led by run lead Trevor White (first right) as they take off along the Billy Wolff Trail for the first-ever run held by the Telegraph Run Club on Wednesday. The new run club is meant to be a welcoming, open and free to any who wishes to join.
Nebraska's Nash Hutmacher hands a football back to Henry Erikson of Beatrice, 8, and Brent Erikson during football fan day, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Hawks Championship Center. Contact the writer at mreist@journalstar.
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