The Nebraska Legal Marijuana NOW Party will have a contested primary for the state’s U.S. Senate seat later this year after two candidates filed to seek its nomination. The party will also have a candidate in Nebraska’s third congressional district.
Party leadership informed Independent Political Report this week that Earl Starkey of and Mike Marvin of have filed to seek its U.S. Senate nomination. Their entrance follows the party’s announcement in February that it would also see a contested primary for its gubernatorial nomination. Nebraska’s statewide primaries are scheduled for May 12.
In a February campaign announcement, Starkey called for full marijuana decriminalization, federal legalization, and the expungement of related convictions, while criticizing state officials for failing to implement Nebraska’s 2024 voter-approved medical marijuana program. A former Republican who says he “gave up” on President Donald Trump, he said his campaign prioritizes smaller government, voter accountability, and expanding industrial hemp production in rural communities to drive the economy.
Independent Political Report was unable to locate an active campaign website, a public statement, or readily available contact information for Marvin as of this article.
In addition to its contested primaries, the party will also have a candidate in Nebraska’s third congressional district, which is currently represented by Republican Adrian Smith. According to the same communication, David Else of Overton has filed to seek the party’s nomination for the seat.
IPR was likewise unable to locate a current website or formal campaign launch for Else. He is a former candidate for the district, having previously sought the Democratic nomination in 2020, 2022, and 2024. He secured the Democratic nomination in 2022 but lost to Smith in a three-way general election that also included a Legal Marijuana NOW Party candidate.
As the Legal Marijuana NOW Party is a recognized political party under Nebraska law after enrolling more than 10,000 registered voters last year, the winners of its primaries will advance directly to the general election ballot without needing to collect signatures.
Be First to Comment