Here today in Lincoln for the @NEGOP’s unity rally, 
I'll try to live tweet the 10a presser. (Fair warning, it can be a lot.)
Pretty large crowd, includes GOP attorney general nominee Mike Hilgers, Speaker of the Legislature.
My editor tells me this morning that statewide turnout for the 2022 primary election ended up about 32%, per the Secretary of State's Office unofficial numbers. Most of the projections were between 30-35%.
The @NEGOP chairman Dan Welch is leading off.
Welch: Congrats to Bacon, Flood and Smith. AG nominee Mike Hilgers, Sec of State nominee Bob Evnen, State Treasurer John Murante, and candidate for State Auditor Mike Foley.
Welch: I want to thank all of the #NEgov candidates for all the time and effort they put in to serve. I've seen that @CWHerbster is here, and @TThibodeauNE is here. I know @votelindstrom has already endorsed. Heartfelt thanks to all of you. Know it was a hard-fought battle.
Welch: Congrats to @jim_pillen for being GOP nominee for governor.
Welch: Nebraskans know what they're going to get with Jim Pillen. Introduces @GovRicketts.
Ricketts: I would like to add my thanks to everybody who came here today, especially all the candidates. It was a late night last night for a lot of folks. "Primaries are important for our party. It strengthens our conservative cause and makes us better candidates."
Ricketts: The people who come through primaries are going to be better candidates. "We have to remember that our primary goal is to beat the Democrats in November."
Ricketts is criticizing national Democrats, border, gas prices, inflation, etc. Says it's corrosive to everyday Nebraskans' pockets. "This is what happens when you have a far-left Democrat Party that's in power."
Ricketts: We see it here in our state in critical race theory and disastrous sex ed standards. We have an election in 49 days, a special election to be able to select the congressman from the 1st District. Early voting starts in 19 days. Need @Flood4Nebraska in that House seat.
@Flood4Nebraska Governor is introducing Pillen. Says he's traveled the state to let Nebraskans know what he stands for, his values.
Pillen is speaking and thanking Nebraskans who helped his team win.
Pillen: We live in the best place in America, in Nebraska. "I think that what's important today is that we think about tomorrow."
Pillen: I will work to earn the rest of Republicans' votes eyeball to eyeball across this state. It's all about our kids, less government, promoting and defending ag.
Pillen is thanking Ricketts for his service during and after the floods and pandemic.
Pillen: Let me echo what's really, really important, is that we make the red wave go all the way across this state in the fall. We need to focus on what's important for Nebraska. In the next 49 days, we need to come together and get Mike Flood into Congress.
Welch: Our candidate for both the special election and the fall is Mike Flood. Welch called @Patty4Nebraska a "liberal Democrat." "She is a liberal Democrat." Mike has stood up for life. (Introducing Flood.)
Flood: What Dan really wanted me to do was get $5 from each of you for a new air conditioner (laughs). I want to recognize my opponent, John Weaver. We stopped a lot of places and did a lot of hard work. He has my respect. I appreciate him.
Flood: I want to thank the people of the 1st District for the faith and trust they placed in me today. "We all know what's happening in Washington is not working." It's one-party Democrat rule. We have a chance to put the brakes on.
Flood: "We must fire Nancy Pelosi." "This morning we are standing together united as one Republican team. We are all on the same team." June 28 is a pivotal date. That date is one we need your help marking on the calendar. Two candidates with very Dif visions for America.
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Flood: I'm endorsed by Nebraska Right to Life. My opponent is endorsed by the state's largest abortion provider. I have an A from the NRA. She has an F-. We've passed the largest tax relief package in state history.
Flood: We are working to make sure conservative GOP values are represented in Washington. I look forward to winning, and thank you for your support.
Welch: I knew this was going to get tough and contentious. We talked about the fact that some people weren't going to win.
Welch: The importance of coming together on May 11. It is now May 11, and it is time to come together. I've been a candidate and a supporter in primaries. I've been on winning side and losing side. I know when on losing side it becomes pretty darn difficult to come together.
Welch: I know there is a deep sting with losing, a great frustration. At times it's beyond aggravating. It becomes brutal for a candidate and their supporters. It becomes hard to get back together as a party.
Welch: If you think about what brings us all together as a party, it's not the candidates. It's our conservative principles, our ideologies and our principles. Once you understand that it becomes easier to come together and support the nominee, even if it wasn't your first choice
Welch: If we don't come together as a party, there's a possibility that we cede power to the Bidens of the world, the Pelosis, the Bloods and the Pansing-Brooks. There is no doubt in my mind that we will come together for the general election. ... We will win big.
Here’s Flood, Ricketts and Pillen.
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