In a news conference in Cairo Tuesday, State Sen. Dan McKeon, who represents Central Nebraska’s 41st District in the Legislature, reiterated his “mistake” in touching a Legislative staffer and said Nebraska’s governor may have influenced a committee’s vote to boot him from the Legislature.
The freshman senator from Amherst was accused by a legislative staffer of unwanted touching of her buttocks on the outside of her clothing at a party at the Lincoln Country Club in May. The incident was reported to law enforcement in September.
The staffer, who has not been named, alleged McKeon touched her buttocks after making a lewd joke. McKeon has admitted to making an off-color joke but said he touched the staffer on her back. He later apologized in a letter.
McKeon now faces expulsion from the Legislature following a 8-0 vote from the body’s Executive Board.
While addressing reporters for the first time since the allegations surfaced, the senator and his legal team said his potential expulsion was influenced by politics, money, and “cancel culture.” When asked to elaborate on his evidence of potential political foul play, McKeon remained reluctant to explain, stating that his constituents were aware of the politics of the situation.
“From the constituent’s standpoint, they know that this card has been played before, I’m saying from a political standpoint,” McKeon said.
When asked which political figures he was referring to, McKeon replied, "I didn't ask the constituents, so I won't say.”
He cited his election success in 2024 against challenger Ethan Clark. McKeon won the seat despite being outspent by his opponent, who received political endorsements and financial support from prominent Republican elected leaders and donors.
“I guess you can do your investigation. If everybody pays attention,” he said. “You can start looking at all that situation, that lines it up.”
McKeon also addressed calls from Gov. Jim Pillen for him to resign, saying the governor had not reached out directly since Pillen’s initial phone call earlier this year. and that it was “possible” Pillen had influence over the Executive Board vote. He added that the governor was not in the right position to comment on the situation.
“I want to make this reference when I officiated [as a sports referee]. If I’m not in the right position to make the right call, if I don’t have all my facts, and if I don’t know, how can I make that call?”
Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, said on Tuesday McKeon’s comments about political tampering were “utter nonsense.”
“The responsibility for Sen. McKeon's criminal prosecution stemming from the alleged inappropriate touching of a woman at a party, is his alone,” Strimple said. “Governor Pillen has stated that Sen. McKeon should step down, and he stands by that position, so that the Legislature's time is not wasted and that work on behalf of the constituents in that district is not impeded.”
McKeon’s attorney, Perry Pirsch, further explained his client’s perspective.
“I believe that he is referring just to politics in general, and a cancel culture and a desire for people to try to take disputed accusations and to run with them for their own political or monetary gain,” Pirsch said.
Along with the Executive Board’s expulsion vote, the state senator also faces a misdemeanor disturbing-the-peace charge brought by the Lancaster County Attorney’s office after an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol. He initially attempted to plead no contest to the charge but later pleaded not guilty. He’s due in court on Jan. 26 at 11 a.m.
According to Pirsch, McKeon attempted to submit a no-contest plea, which would have allowed him to accept criminal penalties, but it was denied by the Lancaster County Courts, which stated that a no-contest plea must be submitted in person.
Pirsch said the no-contest plea will not be revisited in part because the Legislature’s Executive Board brought the matter to the floor.
“Based on the actions of the board and what we perceive to be a misguided public perception based on allegations, we decided to go forward, and we have continued his plea of not guilty,” Pirsch said.
McKeon also commented on his conduct, stating that he apologized and would adjust his behavior within the Legislature if he is not removed.
“There’s a time and place for everything,” he said. “Again, I’m human. I make mistakes. Going forward, you have to know the environment you’re in.”
The senator now awaits his court date in Lancaster County, as well as the Legislature’s vote on his expulsion, which are both set for January.