Nebraska’s Rural Voters Torn on Trump, But Policy Still Key

By Chronicles Nyakato

In a fiercely contested U.S. election, with vice-presidential picks JD Vance and Tim Walz seeking to sway rural and Midwestern voters, states like Nebraska are becoming central battlegrounds.

Due to its unique electoral system, this sparsely populated region could hold significant influence in the November outcome.

For Wade Bennett, a seasoned breeder in Nebraska’s Sandhills, the race has been marked by tough choices.

As a staunch Republican, Bennett takes pride in his expertise, tracking the parentage of the 140 head of Charolais cattle he raises.

However, he finds himself less certain when it comes to the presidential candidate vying for his vote once again.

“If there were other conservative options, Donald Trump would probably be kicked out of my shortlist,” Bennett admits, reflecting the moral discomfort shared by many of his deeply Republican and Christian neighbours.

Despite unwavering support for the GOP in rural America, Trump’s personal conduct leaves voters like Bennett uneasy.

But with few alternatives—facing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and a handful of small-party contenders—Bennett, like many others, is willing to set aside his reservations. “Even as a Christian,” he says, “it is what it is.”

Bennett is choosing to focus on policy rather than personality, valuing Trump’s promises to clamp down on illegal immigration, reduce living costs, and increase tariffs on trade—policies that resonate with rural Nebraskans navigating economic pressures.

As the race tightens, the sentiments of voters like Bennett could prove crucial, particularly in states like Nebraska where even a handful of swing voters might make all the difference.