Recall election scheduled for Nebraska village board member

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A big political battle is brewing in a tiny eastern Nebraska village.

York County said Tuesday that a recall election will be held in McCool Junction.

A petition to recall Patricia Wagner from the village board received enough valid signatures, according to County Clerk Mary Melby.

It needed only 42, which is 35% of the votes cast in the general election in 2022, when Wagner was elected.

The man behind the petition, Larry Blum, alleged that Wagner has violated open meeting laws and talks abusively to people.

Wagner denied the accusations.

“To my knowledge I have followed the open meeting laws,” she said in her official response. “I have never spoken abusively to any employee or member of the public, nor have I directed anyone to not speak to the village clerk or any board members, and request proof of all allegations.”

The election is scheduled for Feb. 11.

Melby said she is working with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office to make it an all-mail election.