LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — A group called LNK Recall released a statement Wednesday saying that its effort to recall Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and members of the city council has failed.
"LNK Recall’s final count appears to be thousands short for the recall of Mayor Baird and mere hundreds short for most council members, with some council members revealed to be more vulnerable than others," said the organization in a release. "LNK Recall volunteers are already shifting their attention to primary challenges, general election challenges, and even a second recall launch."
The group objected to the methods by which the mayor and city council enacted restrictions related to COVID-19.
The recall petition stated, "Mayor Baird sought out and obtained open-ended authoritarian control and used it to attack our liberty, usurp legislative authority, silence our voices, misuse our police, destroy our small businesses, sow discord in our community and allowed vandalism in our city. We the people do hereby intend to stop her assault on the citizens and Good Life of Lincoln."
As a response to the failed recall effort, Mayor Baird released a statement on Wednesday.
“My focus and priority are bringing an end to this pandemic. I will continue to work collaboratively with our community to keep people safe, distribute the vaccine, and execute our economic recovery strategy. I invite all those experiencing the stress of this most difficult moment in our lifetimes to join in our collective effort. The most successful path forward is one we walk together,” Baird said.
Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb also issued a response.
“We knew it was doomed from the start,” said Kleeb. “Those who backed the petition deserve ridicule for trying to recall officials for instituting and supporting Lincoln’s sensible mask mandate to fight the deadly pandemic. They should be ashamed.”
