The man who appears to be the swing vote over embryonic stem cell research at the University of Nebraska is a pro-life Republican whose wife works for the University.

Regent Jim McClurg

In an interview with Nebraska Watchdog, Regent Jim McClurg of Lincoln made it clear he’s waiting until the last minute to make his decision. McClurg also insisted his wife’s job will not affect his decision.

On Friday the Board of Regents is scheduled to vote on a resolution aimed at limiting research on embryonic stem cells at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). 

Four pro-life regents support the resolution: Tim Clare of Lincoln, Bob Phares of North Platte, Randy Ferlic and Howard Hawks of Omaha.

It appears three Regents will oppose the resolution: Bob Whitehouse of Papillion, Chuck Hassebrook of Lyons, and Kent Schroeder of Kearney.

If McClurg votes against the resolution, the vote on the eight member board would be evenly split, 4-4.  Which means the effort to tighten restrictions on embryonic stem cell research at UNMC would fail.

If McClurg votes for the resolution it would pass and embryonic stem cell research would be curtailed.

It has been suggested to Nebraska Watchdog by some critics of embryonic stem cell research that because McClurg’s wife is employed by the University, McClurg has a conflict of interest and should abstain from voting on the issue. Those critics believe that if McClurg abstains and the vote is 4-3 in favor of limited embryonic stem cell research, the resolution would pass.

But after further investigation a spokesperson for the University told Nebraska Watchdog if McClurg abstains and does not vote, the resolution to limit the research would fail. According to the University if all eight board members are present, five votes are required for passage.

McClurg told Nebraska Watchdog it is common knowledge that his wife works for the University and there is no conflict of interest. Lori McClurg manages recruiting, marketing, admissions, and public relations at the Jeffrey Raikes School of Computer Science and Management in Lincoln. According to McClurg, “It’s inappropriate and outrageous (to suggest a conflict) I don’t even know where to begin to respond,” said McClurg.

J.B. Milliken

Several top University administrators, including President J.B. Milliken, oppose the resolution and do not want further restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.

McClurg received a Ph.D in Biochemistry from UNMC in 1973 and was the Senior Vice-President and Chief Scientific Officer of MDS Pharma Services in Lincoln until last year. He was appointed to the Board of Regents in 2002 by former Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns (R). McClurg, who was endorsed by Nebraska Right to Life, was elected to a full six year term in 2006.

According to Federal Election Commission records examined by Nebraska Watchdog McClurg and his wife have made political contributions to several pro-life Republican candidates in Nebraska. In 2007 Jim  and Lori McClurg each contributed $2,500 to Johanns’ U.S. Senate campaign. Jim McClurg contributed $1,000 to Don Stenberg’s U.S. Senate race in 2000, $1,350 to Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith, $2,000 to Nebraska Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, $200 to former Nebraska Congressman Tom Osborne, and $2,380 to the Nebraska Republican Party.

Before Friday’s vote the regents expect to hear comments from the public. McClurg told Nebraska Watchdog that after he hears what the public has to say, he’ll decide how he’s going to vote.

Editor’s note: Nebraska Watchdog initially reported that if McClurg abstains and the vote is 4-3 in favor of the resolution, the resolution would pass. After that report was published a spokesperson for the University told Nebraska Watchdog that if McClurg abstains, and the vote is 4-3 in favor of the resolution, the resolution would fail because it takes five votes to pass a measure that is put before all eight regents.

Reported by Joe Jordan, joe@nebraskawatchdog.org