Narrow Victory for Spivey Marks a Historic Win for Northeast Omaha
OMAHA — In a closely contested race for the District 13 seat in northeast Omaha, Ashlei Spivey, a passionate advocate for Black women and girls, has emerged victorious. After the final votes were tallied, Spivey, the founder of the nonprofit I Be Black Girl, defeated Nick Batter, an Army veteran turned attorney.
The results showed Spivey ahead by 148 votes, a margin too wide for an automatic recount, sealing her position as the new representative for this key district in Douglas County. This win, while narrow, is historic and significant for both the community and Nebraska’s legislative landscape.
A Strong Community Foundation
Spivey’s victory is a testament to her deep roots in Omaha and her commitment to service. The 148-vote lead over Batter — a former Army engineer now working as an attorney — is more than just a political win. It’s a victory for those advocating for better access, resources, and opportunities for people in Nebraska.
In a statement following her win, Spivey expressed her readiness to get to work. “I look forward to passing policy that puts resources and investment back into our community and across the state — truly helping people have access and opportunity to the good life Nebraska has to offer,” Spivey said.
Spivey’s platform focused on empowerment, particularly for marginalized groups. She has long championed causes that directly benefit Black women, femmes, and girls, making her a strong voice for these communities in the Nebraska Legislature.
Nick Batter, although trailing in the vote count, was an outspoken candidate with an impressive background in military service and law. However, he did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the election results, leaving Spivey’s supporters to celebrate a hard-fought victory.
Political Backing and Party Influence
Though Nebraska’s legislature is officially nonpartisan, political party backing played a crucial role in this race. Spivey, a Democrat, received significant endorsements from high-profile Nebraska Democrats, including State Senators Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney, both of whom represent parts of Omaha. The Nebraska Democratic Party also made key investments to secure the district, aiming to keep it “blue.”
Batter, however, garnered support from former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey, a longtime figure in Nebraska politics, though his endorsement stood in contrast to the party establishment’s endorsement of Spivey.
Additionally, former Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson voiced his support for Spivey, further bolstering her credibility as a candidate who could connect with the working-class voters of District 13. This split in endorsements highlighted the ideological rift within Nebraska’s political sphere, with Spivey emerging as the preferred candidate for many seeking to maintain the Democratic presence in the district.
A Historic Milestone
Spivey’s victory carries profound significance for diversity in Nebraska politics. She will be the first Black woman to serve in the state legislature since 2017, when Justin Wayne took over from former Senator Tanya Cook. This marks another important milestone in the history of Nebraska’s Unicameral legislature, which has seen increasing diversity in recent years.
Ashlei Spivey’s election ensures that the voices of working-class communities, particularly those from Omaha’s North Side, will have greater representation in state politics. Her win also makes her a part of a small but impactful group of Black women who have held seats in Nebraska’s legislature, following the legacy of leaders like JoAnn Maxey and Brenda Council.
What’s Next for Nebraska’s Legislative Races?
As Spivey’s victory is solidified, eyes remain on other tight races in Nebraska, including the ongoing vote count in Sarpy County’s District 3, where the race between Victor Rountree and Felix Ungerman remains incredibly close. With nearly 1,800 provisional ballots still to be counted, Rountree holds a slim 181-vote lead, and the final results will be important in shaping the state’s political future.
For Spivey, however, the task ahead is clear: focusing on issues that matter most to her constituents in northeast Omaha, where economic inequality, educational opportunity, and community investment remain top priorities. She is poised to make an impact from her first day in office, leveraging her experience as a community organizer to address these pressing needs.
Spivey’s campaign was rooted in the idea that change begins from the ground up, and with this victory, she has earned a seat at the table where decisions about the future of Nebraska will be made.
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