Nebraska lawmakers are preparing to consider the possible expulsion of Republican Sen. Dan McKeon after a workplace misconduct investigation found he violated legislative conduct standards, setting up what could become a historic vote in the state’s unicameral legislature.
The controversy centers on allegations from a legislative staffer who said McKeon made a sexually suggestive comment during a May 29 end-of-session gathering at the Lincoln Country Club and later physically touched her inappropriately. According to the complaint, McKeon asked whether she was “going to Hawaii to get laid” during a conversation about vacation plans and later made contact with her buttocks. McKeon has disputed the characterization of events, saying the comment was a joke and suggesting he may have only made incidental contact, not intentional physical contact.
An independent law firm hired by the Legislature’s Executive Board investigated the allegations. Its report concluded that while McKeon’s conduct did not meet the legal threshold for sexual harassment under state or federal law, it did violate the Nebraska Legislature’s internal workplace harassment policies. The report also noted a broader pattern of McKeon making inappropriate jokes in professional settings.
Following the complaint, legislative leadership instructed McKeon to avoid social events involving staffers. However, the investigation found he attended another gathering where staff members, including the complainant, were present. The report also documented a handwritten note McKeon later sent urging forgiveness and referencing religious teachings, as well as a later text message describing the staffer as “difficult to work with,” which raised further concerns among investigators.
McKeon was separately charged by the Nebraska State Patrol with a misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace. He has pleaded not guilty and continues to deny wrongdoing beyond acknowledging that some remarks may have been inappropriate.
On the opening day of the 2026 legislative session, lawmakers were formally asked to consider expulsion. If approved, it would be the first expulsion in the history of Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan legislature. The Executive Board is scheduled to review the matter in a hearing before it could go to a full floor vote, where expulsion would require 33 votes.
McKeon has said he does not intend to resign despite pressure from Republican leaders, including Gov. Jim Pillen. He has suggested the outcome may be close and has publicly downplayed the controversy, saying, “We’re all sinners,” while acknowledging scrutiny over his conduct.
The case comes amid broader national attention on misconduct allegations involving public officials. Since 2017, tracking by The Associated Press has documented more than 150 state legislators across dozens of states facing sexual harassment or misconduct claims, reflecting ongoing political and institutional pressure to enforce workplace standards more strictly within state governments.
