NEBRASKA — The Secular Democrats of Nebraska released a statement criticizing Governor Jim Pillen following his announcement of a partnership with Turning Point USA aimed at establishing chapters in Nebraska high schools.
In their statement, the organization argued that the proposed partnership undermines the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.
“It is time to let our voices be heard,” the Secular Democrats of Nebraska said. “Pillen is attacking the separation of church and state by proposing that the state of Nebraska partner with Turning Point, an evangelical conservative organization, to place a chapter in every Nebraska High School.”
Read the remainder of the article here, and see the Secular Democrats of Nebraska’s full press statement and call to action below.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2026
Contact: Laurey Steinke
seculardemsofne@gmail.com
***Nebraska Democratic Party News Press Release for 2-13-2026***
The Secular Democrats of Nebraska Statement on Governor Jim Pillen’s Partnership with Turning Point USA
LINCOLN, NE – The Secular Democrats of Nebraska issued the following statement following Governor Jim Pillen’s announcement of partnering with Turning Point USA:
“It is time to let our voices be heard. Pillen is attacking the separation of church and state by proposing that the state of Nebraska partner with Turning Point, an evangelical conservative organization, to place a chapter in every Nebraska High School.
This is clearly against the First Amendment of the Federal Constitution (the Establishment Clause) and Article I-4 of the Nebraska Constitution (“no preference shall be given by law to any religious society”). While we support the right of students to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, coercion by the state for students to form a club supporting a singular religious and partisan view is unconstitutional.”
Background & Call To Action
The Secular Democrats of Nebraska is a council of the Nebraska Democratic Party and an associate of the Secular Democrats of America. Membership is composed of both non-theists and other Democrats who support the separation of religion from government. The Secular Council works to strengthen the foundational separation of church and state and to promote secular values.
The Secular Democrats of Nebraska support the rights of students to freely assemble and speak. However, coercion of high schoolers by the State of Nebraska to form partisan clubs supporting a singular religious view is inappropriate and unconstitutional.
What can constituents do?
1) Contact the governor and protest: a variety of methods are available here: https://governor.nebraska.gov/contact-governor
2) Contact your state senator: Identification of state senators by constituent address and contact information here: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php