Roy Moore Fallout Hits Nebraska

Omaha, NE.—The fallout from the controversial Alabama Senate race, involving accusations that Republican Roy Moore abused young women nearly 40 years ago, has apparently hit Nebraska. Just days after a spokesman for the Nebraska Republican Party told News Channel Nebraska that they are not "focused" on the Alabama race, a top state party official has quit her job, reportedly over the Moore mess. Ken Zoeller, the Executive Director of the Nebraska GOP, tells News Channel Nebraska that Nebraska GOP National Committeewoman Joyce Simmons has resigned. Politico reports that Simmons quit protesting the RNC's financial support for Moore. The decision follows Alabama Senator Richard Shelby's Sunday announcement that he did not vote for Moore, casting his early ballot for a write-in Republican who he would not name. "There is much I could say about this situation, but I will defer to this weekend's comments by Senator Shelby," wrote Simmons according to an email obtained by Politico. "I will miss so many of you that I knew well; and wish I could have continued my service to the national Republican Party that I used to know well." On Saturday News Channel Nebraska text-interviewed Zoeller:

NCN: Wondering what if anything beyond the final score you are watching for in the Roy Moore race?

Zoeller: We are not focused on Alabama's results. Nebraskans care about lowering taxes, cutting unnecessary government regulations and spending, and taking control out of the hands of D.C. bureaucrats and returning it to the people.

NCN: Does (the Alabama race) matter in Nebraska for 2018?

Zoeller:  Nebraskans continue to elect Republicans because our candidates run on the aforementioned issues that our state cares deeply about."

NCN also contacted Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

Kleeb: "I will watch if Moore wins to see if (Sens.) Fischer and Sasse vote to seat him or other votes taken about his ethics. And yes it matters, especially to women, in the Senate race. You can’t stand with a child predator and not have voters react.

NCN: I almost get the feeling you hope Moore wins in order to make him a bigger issue in 2018.

Kleeb: I really don’t want him to win, that sends an awful message to assault victims. We have enough material with Trump to show a clear choice...we don’t need Moore!

Last month News Channel Nebraska reported that Fischer initially said Moore should step aside "if" the allegations are true; a few days later she said there is not enough time to prove or disprove the allegations and therefore the people of Alabama would have to decide. As more allegations popped up the Omaha World-Herald later reported that Fischer believed Moore should get out of the race. Lincoln Democrat Jane Raybould, who is is running against Fischer, has complained that Fischer was too slow to condemn Moore. Follow Joe on Twitter and Facebook Joe can be heard Tuesday’s 7:10 a.m. KLIN Lincoln; Wednesday’s 8 a.m. KUTT Fairbury ; Thursday’s 7-8 a.m. US92 and 8-9 a.m. KNEN Norfolk and 8:55 a.m KBIE 103.1 Nebraska City.