Nebraska’s death penalty mess continues to be a subject of interest. As we alerted you a few weeks ago, the Daily Show with Trevor Noah covered the Cornhusker State’s capital punishment quagmire. One of the repeal bill’s primary Republican champions, Senator Colby Coash, was prominently featured in the segment. If you missed it, watch it here!
While Nebraska’s strong Republican support for repealing the death penalty was impressive, conservatives in other states are following their example. Legislative sessions haven’t begun in most states, but already a host of conservatives across the nation have submitted bills to end the death penalty. Kansas’ Rep. Becker, Kentucky’s Rep. Floyd, Missouri’s Sen. Wieland, Ohio’s Rep. Antani, and South Dakota’s Sen. Rusch have all introduced such legislation, and more Republican-sponsored bills are likely to be filed.
Conservatives Concerned in the media
You may have seen us in the media this month, but if not, here are a few of our favorite pieces:
• CCATDP’s Ben Jones penned an article in the Life Matters Journal outlining why conservatives in Nebraska led the repeal effort. I described how the death penalty is inconsistent with conservatism in the Louisville Courier-Journal, and Heather Beaudoin wrote what being pro-life means to her in Do Justice.
• Conservative media outlet Townhall covered Heather Beaudoin’s work with the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), which recently changed its pro-death penalty position.
• I was interviewed by Sputnik about Nebraska Governor Ricketts’ continued failed attempts to restart executions.
• The Arkansas Traveler and NWA Fayetteville both covered Ben Jones’ recent speaking engagement in Arkansas.
• Additionally, CCATDP was in another Louisville Courier-Journal article, in the Hillsdale Daily News, and on the Scott Adams radio show.
Conservatives Concerned in the field
CCATDP continued to present the conservative case against the death penalty all around the country. On November 5, Ben Jones traveled to Arkansas where he engaged in a lively debate hosted by the University of Arkansas Law School’s Federalist Society. Ben debunked the many myths used by those who oppose repealing the death penalty. Following the debate, numerous attendees approached him to express their support and gratitude.
I participated in a panel discussion at the Central Oklahoma Political Science Association on November 6. Many political science professionals and professors attended the event and were eager to learn about the national state of the death penalty.
On November 10, I lectured at one of the most conservative educational institutions in America, Hillsdale College. The auditorium was crowded with conservative students, many of whom were shocked to learn about the death penalty’s perpetual failures. A large portion of the crowd, however, already opposed capital punishment because they were already aware that it fails to align with conservative principles.
Upcoming
Saturday, November 21, I will speak at the University of South Florida’s Voter’s Forum in Tampa, which is hosted by the school’s Young Americans for Liberty chapter. If you’re in the Tampa area, then please RSVP, drop by, and say hello!
Get involved!
Let your conservative and evangelical friends know that the national death penalty narrative is changing. Click here to share the Townhall article announcing the NAE’s new death penalty position.