LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts has given another $100,000 to a ballot campaign seeking to reinstate the death penalty after lawmakers abolished the punishment over his veto last year.
The contribution disclosed Tuesday brings the governor's total donation to $300,000 since Nebraskans for the Death Penalty launched its statewide ballot drive. The group had raised more than $1.2 million as of last week.
Despite the contribution, death penalty opponents outraised supporters with nearly $2.7 million in contributions.
Ricketts says the death penalty remains a critical public safety tool, and his contribution will help raise awareness among voters.
The death penalty opposition group Retain a Just Nebraska reported donations from more than 2,600 people, including $10,000 from the late Democratic philanthropist Dick Holland and $500 from actress Susan Sarandon.
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