One Democrat made all the difference.

The bill targeting transgenders, that has all but brought the Legislature to a standstill the last few weeks, survived its initial fight without a vote to spare.

The “Let Them Grow Act” would prohibit gender altering procedures, including surgeries, for anyone under the age of 19. It would also allow civil-legal action against doctors involved in those procedures.

The bill needed 33 votes to move forward, and it garnered exactly 33.

All of the Legislature’s 32 Republicans and one lone Democrat, South Omaha State Sen. Mike McDonnell, voting for the measure.

The vote coming after other Democrats insisted that a vote for the measure would send the rest of this year’s legislative session into a tailspin of delays and filibusters.

By the way McDonnell, that one Democrat who voted for the bill, is looking at a run for mayor in 2025. Before he cast his vote State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh said McDonnell is really a Republican and in her eyes is no longer a fellow Democrat.

The bill is still not a done deal, and must clear two more rounds of what would likely be more contentious debate and politicking, along with filibusters aimed at stopping the bill cold.