Opinion: This Ex-Firefighter Defied Trump. It May Cost Him the Presidency
Nebraska State Sen. Michael McDonnell was a firefighter for 24 years and proved his mettle by striding into burning buildings long before he ran for office.
Even so, political courage is so rare these days that it came as a surprise to many people when 58-year-old McDonnell resisted pressure by Republicans—including Vice Presidential candidate JD Vance—to support a last minute change in how his state allocates its five electoral votes that would potentially give Donald Trump a decisive edge in the upcoming election.
The measure would have all but assured Trump one more electoral vote in a contest close enough that it could determine who goes to the White House. And the vote on the bill itself promised to be so close that it was doomed when McDonnell announced his decision on Monday.