Omaha Young Republicans will not attend State Convention over Delegate Dispute
The state convention for the Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans is being held this week, but the largest state chapter isn’t going to be there. At issue is a dispute over delegates representing the 90 members of the Omaha Young Republicans.
In March, Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans (NFYR) Chairman Patrick Roy submitted state membership numbers to the Young Republican National Federation in a state survey, numbers that, at the time, would have allocated Omaha 9 delegates based on their membership data from March 18, 2025.
The numbers for the Omaha Young Republicans (OYR) had grown significantly over the following weeks, however — from around 65 to 90 members by the end of May. OYR Chair Haile McAnally submitted an updated membership list at that time, which would have entitled the chapter to 18 delegates at the convention instead of 9. OYR Vice-Chair Michael Tiedeman supported this move, citing Bylaw IV, Section 3, which mandates using the most current numbers and submitting them no later than one week before the convention.
The NFYR leadership would not accept these updated numbers, however, and insisted that OYR accept the numbers given during the state survey in March. NFYR legal counsel Denny Vaggalis stated in an email, “Our approach—apportioning all chapters’ delegates simultaneously, well in advance—upholds fairness and logistical practicality, such as securing appropriately sized venues and ensuring all chapters are equally represented.”
While there were no apparent bylaws requiring delegates to be determined using this timeframe, Spencer Head, NFYR credentials committee chair, said that delegate allocation has historically taken place in conjunction with the greater state survey.
“It is neither practical nor fair to individual chapters or members to have a sliding timeline by which chapters can increase delegates after they have already been set,” said Head. “If Omaha is allowed to submit a new list 7 days prior, other chapters need to be able to as well. … Further, the bylaws also do not allow for a reallocation of delegates after they are set.”
On May 6, McAnally submitted the names of 18 delegates instead of the 9 allowed for in March. After several exchanges between Haile and Tiedeman with party leadership, Head responded on Sunday, June 1, stating that no delegates would be seated at the convention. He offered to move to amend the credentials report and seat the originally allocated 9 delegates, if McAnally would supply 9 names instead of 18.
McAnally declined, viewing acceptance as legitimizing the process and disregarding the organization’s bylaws.
“We didn’t want to play this game, especially when things are so constitutionally black and white, and this is why we are not going to be at the state convention,” McAnally said.
On Friday, McAnally formally initiated dispute resolution proceedings against the reduced delegate count. On Monday, the OYR issued a press release, stating: “OYR has chosen not to submit a reduced list of delegates, citing concerns about legitimizing what it believes to be a flawed and retaliatory process. The chapter is pursuing appropriate avenues to challenge the decision, and remains committed to representing its members with integrity.”
“She is wholly within her right to push for a change or clarification to the bylaws. I may even support that if she goes that route,” Head said. “Instead, she chose a course of action that is ultimately looking like it will disenfranchise her entire chapter.”
The dispute reflects deeper tensions within the Nebraska Republican Party, which came to a head in 2022 after a grassroots takeover of party leadership. McAnally sees this current dispute as a warning of broader implications in the midterms next year.
“What’s unfortunate is that we see a very visual representation of what happened in the NEGOP, with this divide and the struggle to find unity,” McAnally said. “It’s very frustrating, because we’re up for a very challenging 2026, and my only opponents are the Democrats.”