Some might say I’m paranoid. To that I say, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.

Yes, I am worried, concerned, and, some might even say, paranoid about what might happen in Nebraska if we elect Scott Petersen as Secretary of State this November.

Scott Petersen is an election denier who would oversee our elections. Scott Petersen was just endorsed by Seth Keshel, a man who travels the country casting doubt and fear in the safety and security of our elections.

Everyone wants safe and secure elections. But it seems that the only time these election deniers claim the elections aren’t safe and secure is when one of their guys loses. Petersen doesn’t seem to have any doubts about the primary election he won last May.

I’d lay money on him claiming the election was rigged if he loses in November, but I doubt anyone would be willing to take that bet.

Donald Trump and right-wing media keep talking about rigged elections, but they’ve never proven one single instance in court of organized election fraud or of voting machines that have been tampered with.

Petersen’s website says he offers “A Nebraska First plan to restore confidence that we have secure, accurate elections with full transparency and verifiable results.”

I didn’t add the bold type for emphasis; that’s how it appears on his website.

I have confidence in our elections. I won’t have as much if Scott Petersen gets into office.

The checks and balances we currently have in place are working. Catching those fraudulent signatures on the petitions is just one example of their success.

But it’s possible that Scott Petersen, as Secretary of State, could put people in place who might not be as concerned about checks and balances.

If Scott Petersen gets elected and Jim Pillen wins reelection, would they both have the courage to stand up to President Trump if he makes a call to them the way he made a call to the Georgia governor when Trump lost his reelection bid in 2020?

Does Petersen have the courage to stand up to the president if he needs to?

I would hope so, but you can’t blame a person for being skeptical.

I know some will dismiss my concerns as being from some liberal who wants to rig elections. Those people would be wrong, but as they say, you can’t fix stupid.

Bob Evnen did a great job as Secretary of State. Bob Evnen is a conservative Republican. Bob Evnen is a decent man of integrity. If Mr. Evnen had won his primary, I would have voted for him.

But the MAGA wing of the Republican Party voted Mr. Evnen out and put election denier Scott Petersen in. And that’s why I’m concerned.

I have no doubt that the Nebraska midterm elections will be fair and accurate. I fear that may not be the case for any of the elections that follow if we elect the wrong person.

Am I being paranoid? Perhaps.

But maybe not.

They say when someone tells you who they are, believe them.

Scott Petersen is telling us who he is. He’s a wolf who’s taken off the sheep’s clothing to show us who he is and what he’ll do.

Sarah Slattery is the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State. Having that D behind her name puts her at an automatic disadvantage in this state, especially in the third district. But she’s traveling the state campaigning. She’s shaking hands and marching in parades. She’s speaking at any civic club that will have her. She’s fighting against the odds.

She’s warning people about Scott Petersen.

Will they listen? Who knows.

There may be enough nonpartisan Nebraskans who don’t believe the lies about rigged elections. There may also be enough Republicans who will hold their nose and vote for a Democrat this time around. Maybe she can ride Lynne Walz’s coattails for some votes.

But if Scott Petersen wins, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. If he gets the job, I’ll be optimistic that the checks and balances that are currently in place will hold and that our elections will continue to be fair, safe, and secure.

I hope that my fears are misplaced and that Mr. Petersen will rise to the occasion.

And I hope that my concerns won’t come to fruition and that I was just being paranoid.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

Opinions expressed by columnists in The Daily Record are not necessarily those of its management or staff, and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Any errors or omissions should be called to our attention so that they may be corrected. Contact us at news@omahadailyrecord.com.