Republican Jim Pillen’s refusal to debate his Democrat opponent for governor, State Sen. Carol Blood, is well known and widely criticized.

What hasn’t been known, until now, is that Pillen, who was ripped months ago for insisting Nebraska’s roads and broadband are “not that bad,” is arguably flip-flopping and refusing to explain.

As NCN has learned, Pillen is now telling voters that Nebraska’s roads and broadband are “not acceptable.”

View (above) our full video report on Pillen’s major course correction and check back for a complete transcript.

TRANSCRIPT: 

When it comes to two key issues directly affecting Nebraska's economic future the GOP candidate for governor, Regent Jim Pillen—who’s known lately for his refusal to debate anyone—is doing an about face and arguably obvious flip-flop. 

Late last year during a non-debate get-together with his then- Republican rivals, Pillen had this to say about a pair of priorities.

Jim Pillen Dec 5, 2021: “Could we use some money for roads and broadband? Maybe, but not today, they’re not that bad.”

But now, with the election just weeks away, News Channel Nebraska has found Pillen singing a far different song.

Jim Pillen, KFAB’s Grow Omaha Sept. 24: “We've had too many four-lane roads under construction for 40 years in the state. We have to change that mindset. We have to get in the game and compete harder. And number two: broadband access—we have parts of even our metropolitan communities—it’s not acceptable.”

Following NCN’s exclusive report on Pillen’s initial “not that bad” statement there was this headline from the state’s largest paper noting Pillen had raised eyebrows.

One of his GOP opponents went far further.

Breland Ridenour, Elkhorn: “Nebraska is known for being the state with horrible roads, we need better roads.”

Pillen’s critics have wondered if Pillen’s eyebrow raising announcement that the roads are “not that bad” led him to decide debates would be even worse.

News Channel Nebraska has asked Pillen for an on-camera interview to clear up his latest roads and broadband talk but we’ve been told he has a quote, “dynamic schedule” so he isn’t available.

With Pillen refusing to comment, we’re left with this:

Pillen now: “We've had too many four-lane roads under construction for 40 years in the state. We have to change that mindset.”

Pillen then: “Could we use some money for roads and broadband? Maybe, but not today, they’re not that bad.”