A central Nebraska mayor who’s awaiting a criminal trial has been recalled, according to unofficial results. Officials said after Tuesday’s count that 619 people voted to recall Broken Bow Mayor Jonathon Berghorst and 400 voted against the idea. The Custer County canvassing board will review the count and the ballots on Wednesday. The turnout was around 50%.
The recall petitions said Berghorst had created a hostile work environment for city employees and showed no respect for the employees or members of the city’s volunteer boards. He denied the accusations. The petitions also mentioned the two criminal charges. Berghorst has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial on allegations that he threatened the job of a police officer investigating a fight outside a bar for which the mayor also has been charged.
