District 1
2026 Nebraska's 1st congressional district election
The 1st district is located in eastern Nebraska surrounding Omaha and its suburbs, taking in Lincoln , Bellevue , Fremont , and Norfolk . The incumbent is Republican Mike Flood , who was re-elected with 60.1% of the vote in 2024.[ 2]
Republican primary
Endorsements
Mike Flood
Executive branch officials Organizations Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Mike Flood (R)
$1,561,367
$579,558
$1,202,590
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 6]
Results
Republican primary results[ 7]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican Mike Flood (incumbent) 53,094 100.0
Total votes
53,094 100.0
Democratic primary
Candidates
Eliminated in primary
Eric Moyer, renewable energy developer[ 9] Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Chris Backemeyer (D)
$157,269
$32,078
$125,190
Eric Moyer (D)
$20,882
$16,809
$5,017
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 6]
Results
County results
Backemeyer—50–60%
Backemeyer—60–70%
Democratic primary results[ 7]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Chris Backemeyer 26,523 57.6
Democratic Eric Moyer
19,508
42.4
Total votes
46,031 100.0
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
Nik Sandman, retired farmer[ 10] Results
Libertarian primary results[ 7]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Libertarian Nik Sandman 479 100.0
Total votes
479 100.0
General election
Polling
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample[ a]
Margin
Mike
Chris
Austin
Undecided
Tavern Research (D)[ 18]
May 16–19, 2026
1,079 (LV)
± 3.9%
41% 33%
9%
17%
45% 43%
–
12%
41% –
36%
23%
Zenith Research (D)[ 19]
May 8–11, 2026
371 (LV)
± 5.1%
45% 38%
–
17%
44% –
36%
20%
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Mike Flood (R)
$1,988,933
$872,370
$1,337,345
Chris Backemeyer (D)
$354,180
$162,012
$192,167
Nik Sandman (L)
$0
$0
$0
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 20]
District 2
2026 Nebraska's 2nd congressional district election
The 2nd district covers the Omaha metropolitan area , including all of Douglas County , home to the city of Omaha , Saunders County , and parts of western Sarpy County , including Gretna and Springfield . The incumbent is Republican Don Bacon , who was re-elected with 50.9% of the vote in 2024.[ 2] [ 21] [ 22]
Republican primary
Endorsements
Brinker Harding
Executive branch officials U.S. senators U.S. representatives Statewide officials State legislators Organizations Brett Lindstrom (withdrawn)
Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Brinker Harding (R)
$1,270,418
$621,732
$648,686
Brett Lindstrom (R) $374,138
$224,322
$149,815
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 30]
Results
Republican primary results[ 7]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican Brinker Harding 39,689 100.0
Total votes
39,689 100.0
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Denise Powell, candidate training group co-founder[ 31] Endorsements
John Cavanaugh
U.S. senators U.S. representatives State legislators Labor unions Organizations Denise Powell
U.S. representatives State legislators Local officials Organizations Fundraising
Italics indicate a withdrawn candidate.
Campaign finance reports as of March 31, 2026
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Kishla Askins (D)
$583,723
$445,682
$138,042
John Cavanaugh (D)
$1,140,783
$981,801
$158,983
Mark Johnston (D) $10,146
$9,298
$847
James Leuschen (D)
$389,591
$219,849
$169,742
Denise Powell (D)
$1,617,997
$1,294,016
$323,981
Crystal Rhoades (D)
$172,768
$144,759
$28,010
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 30]
Polling
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample[ a]
Margin
Kishla
John
Denise
Crystal
Other
Undecided
GBAO (D)[ 63] [ A]
January 8–12, 2026
600 (LV)
± 4.0%
4%
43% 10%
15%
3%[ b]
24%
GBAO (D)[ 64] [ A]
July 21–23, 2025
400 (LV)
± 4.4%
4%
36% 9%
15%
5%[ c]
29%
Results
County results
Powell—30–40%
Powell—40–50%
Libertarian primary
Results
Libertarian primary results[ 7]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Libertarian Eric Foreman 388 100.0
Total votes
388 100.0
General election
Post-primary endorsements
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Brinker Harding (R)
$1,270,418
$621,732
$648,686
Denise Powell (D)
$1,617,997
$1,294,016
$323,981
Eric Foreman (L)
$0
$0
$0
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 20]
District 3
2026 Nebraska's 3rd congressional district election
The 3rd district covers most of the rural central and western part of the state, and includes Grand Island , Kearney , Hastings , North Platte , Alliance , and Scottsbluff . The incumbent is Republican Adrian Smith , who was re-elected with 80.4% of the vote in 2024.[ 2]
Republican primary
Candidates
Eliminated in primary
David Huebner, farmer and restaurant owner[ 70] Endorsements
Adrian Smith
Executive branch officials Organizations Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
David Huebner (R)
$25,235
$19,186
$6,049
Adrian Smith (R)
$1,132,841
$720,316
$1,340,757
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 71]
Results
County results
Smith—50–60%
Smith—60–70%
Smith—70–80%
Smith—80–90%
Huebner—50–60%
Huebner—60–70%
Huebner—70–80%
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Becky Stille, agriculture processing quality manager[ 72] Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Becky Stille (D)
$41,579
$28,790
$12,788
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 71]
Results
Democratic primary results[ 7]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic Becky Stille 18,113 100.0
Total votes
18,113 100.0
Legal Marijuana Now primary
Candidates
Nominee
David Else, farmer, Democratic nominee for this district in 2022 and candidate in 2024 [ 73] Results
Legal Marijuana Now primary results[ 7]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Legal Marijuana Now David Else 191 100.0
Total votes
191 100.0
Independents
Candidates
Declared
Macey Budke, behavioral health practice manager (Independent) [ 74]
Mark Cohen, former U.S. Air Force attorney (Independent) [ 75] Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Mark Cohen (I)
$11,767
$14,330
$0
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 71]
General election
Fundraising
Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026
Candidate
Raised
Spent
Cash on hand
Adrian Smith (R)
$1,437,820
$1,190,604
$1,175,449
Becky Stille (D)
$46,356
$30,937
$15,419
David Else (LMN)
$0
$0
$0
Macey Budke (I)
$0
$0
$0
Mark Cohen (I)
$19,782
$20,173
$3,136
Source: Federal Election Commission [ 20]
Notes
Key:
Leuschen with 3%
Johnston with 5%
Partisan clients
Poll sponsored by Cavanaugh's campaign
References
"2026 State Primary Election Dates" . NCSL . May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025 .
"2024 House Vote Tracker" . Cook Political Report . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
Vlaanderen, Kathryn (February 15, 2026). "Mike Flood announces his reelection campaign for Nebraska's First Congressional District" . KTIV . Retrieved February 16, 2026 .
Fischer, Mark (November 3, 2025). "President Donald Trump endorses two Nebraska congressmen for re-election" . KLKN . Retrieved November 6, 2025 .
"Thank You for Supporting Pro-Israel Candidates" . Retrieved February 14, 2026 .
"2026 Election United States House - Nebraska 1st" . fec.gov . Federal Election Commission . Retrieved March 2, 2026 .
"Unofficial Results: Primary Election – May 12, 2026" . Secretary of State of Nebraska . Retrieved May 13, 2026 .
Stanton, Tom (November 6, 2025). "Lincoln Man Running For First Congressional District Seat" . KLIN . Retrieved November 6, 2025 .
"Political newcomer enters race for Mike Flood's seat" . KOLN . Retrieved August 10, 2025 .
Hayworth, Bret (March 4, 2026). "As filing period ends, Nebraska Republican incumbents Ricketts, Pillen face combined 9 opponents" . Siouxland Public Media . Retrieved March 10, 2026 . Republican incumbent Mike Flood will take on the winner of two Democratic candidates, Eric Moyer and Chris Backemeyer, and Libertarian Nick Sandman.
Ourada, Jackie (May 14, 2026). "Independent candidate from Norfolk launches bid for 1st Congressional District race" . Nebraska Public Media . Retrieved May 14, 2026 .
Salinas II, Juan (May 26, 2026). "Senate Dem nominee Burbank endorses nonpartisan Ahlman in Nebraska's 1st District U.S. House race" . Nebraska Examiner Archived from the original on May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026 .
"Candidates Endorsed By Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption" . Track AIPAC . Retrieved June 23, 2026 .
"2026 CPR House Race Ratings" . Cook Political Report. Retrieved June 30, 2025 .
"House Ratings" . Inside Elections. Retrieved March 10, 2025 .
"2026 House" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved May 5, 2025 .
"The 2026 House Forecast" . Race to the WH . Retrieved October 8, 2025 .
"NE-01 General Toplines" (PDF) . Tavern Research . Retrieved May 21, 2026 .
Carlson, Adam [@admcrlsn] (May 14, 2026). "In 2024, Trump won NE-01 by 13 pts & Dan Osborn won it by 1 pt. Race raters view at least 7 redder seats as more competitive than NE-01. Why? Because a Democrat can't win there. But a new poll from @ZenithPolls finds that a populist independent candidate — Austin Ahlman — can" (Tweet ). Retrieved May 14, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter) .
"2026 Election United States House - Nebraska" . fec.gov . Federal Election Commission . Retrieved May 13, 2026 .
Manchester, Julia (June 30, 2025). "Don Bacon won't seek reelection in competitive Nebraska district" . The Hill . Retrieved June 30, 2025 .
Kondik, Kyle (January 16, 2025). "The 2024 Crossover House Seats: Overall Number Remains Low with Few Harris-District Republicans" . Retrieved January 18, 2025 .
Salinas, Juan II (July 1, 2025). "Omaha City Council VP Brinker Harding jumps into Nebraska 2nd District U.S. House race" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved July 1, 2025 .
Salinas, Juan II (January 30, 2026). "Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom out of Nebraska's 2nd District GOP race" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved January 30, 2026 .
Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (July 2, 2025). "Morning Digest: Colin Allred is back for a second Senate bid" . The Downballot . Retrieved July 2, 2025 .
Whedon, Ben (April 14, 2026). "Trump makes string of endorsements in key House races" . Just The News . Retrieved April 14, 2026 .
Harding, Brinker (February 16, 2026). "Endorsements" . Brinker Harding . Retrieved February 16, 2026 .
Wade, Jessica (February 3, 2026). "Democrat Denise Powell leads 2025 fundraising in crowded 2nd District race" . Nebraska Public Media . Retrieved February 6, 2026 .
"NRCC Announces Addition of 8 Candidates to 'MAGA Majority' Program as GOP Expands 2026 Map" . April 27, 2026. Retrieved May 4, 2026 .
"2026 Election United States House - Nebraska 2nd" . fec.gov . Federal Election Commission . Retrieved March 2, 2026 .
Salinas, Juan II (May 1, 2025). "Denise Powell launches bid in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved May 1, 2025 .
Salinas II, Juan (July 15, 2025). "Retired Navy veteran Kishla Askins joins Nebraska 2nd District U.S. House race" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved July 15, 2025 .
Salinas, Juan (June 4, 2025). "State Sen. John Cavanaugh running for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd District" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved June 4, 2025 .
"FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1950009" . docquery.fec.gov . Retrieved February 23, 2026 .
Salinas, Juan II (July 21, 2025). "Crystal Rhoades jumps into crowded Nebraska 2nd District field" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved July 21, 2025 .
Salinas II, Juan (July 31, 2025). "Mark Johnston withdraws from Democratic field in Nebraska's 2nd District" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved July 31, 2025 .
Salinas II, Juan (March 30, 2026). "Then there were six: Leuschen drops out of NE-02 U.S. House Dem primary" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved April 1, 2026 .
Salinas II, Juan (June 5, 2025). "Former State Sen. Tony Vargas endorses Denise Powell in Nebraska's 2nd District" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved June 5, 2025 .
Gonzalez, Cindy (August 22, 2025). "Former Nebraska lawmaker Tony Vargas launches bid for Douglas County treasurer" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved March 2, 2025 .
"Candidates" . Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs .
"VoteVets PAC Endorses Kishla Askins in NE-02" . VoteVets . November 18, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025 .
Salinas, Juan II (June 23, 2025). "State Sen. John Cavanaugh's 2nd District bid endorsed by former US senators, others" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved June 24, 2025 .
"2026 Endorsement Tracker" . VoteHub . January 8, 2026. Retrieved February 18, 2026 .
Lehrich, Jesse (December 5, 2025). "the new politics of endorsements" . Nobody's Listening .
Cordes, Henry J. (May 6, 2026). "Blue dot gamble? Dem insiders weigh chance that winning Congress could lose Legislature" . Flatwater Free Press . Retrieved May 9, 2026 .
"Nebraska State Sen. John Cavanaugh picks up local union endorsements • Nebraska Examiner" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved November 23, 2025 .
Ahlman, Austin (November 13, 2025). "Key Nebraska House Primary Features an Establishment Progressive and an Outsider Moderate" . The American Prospect . Retrieved November 15, 2025 .
"End Citizens United Endorses State Senator John Cavanaugh for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District" . endcitizensunited.org . March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026 .
"JStreet Candidates" .
"Our PAC has just endorsed Democrat John Cavanaugh for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd district race --- which promises to be one of the most hotly contested. Electing John Cavanaugh will help build a pro-senior majority in the next Congress!" . National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare on Facebook . Retrieved November 23, 2025 .
"Sierra Club Endorses John Cavanaugh for Congress" . Clean Technica . March 3, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026 .
"Nebraska congressional candidate Denise Powell raises $740,000 in campaign" . October 7, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025 .
Salinas II, Juan (May 1, 2025). "Nebraska U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and national Republicans scoff at Dem candidates for 2026" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved May 23, 2025 .
"Nebraska congressional candidate Denise Powell raises $740,000 in campaign" . October 7, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025 .
Soellner, Mica; Cohen, Max; Sherman, Jake (July 10, 2025). "Emmer raises $6.5 million in Q2" . Punchbowl News . Retrieved July 10, 2025 . Also: BOLD PAC is endorsing two Democratic challengers in Nebraska and Pennsylvania.
"Candidates" . Elect Democratic Women . Retrieved January 8, 2026 .
"EMILYs List Endorses Denise Powell for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District" . Emily's List . Retrieved October 31, 2025 .
Pichardo, Katharine (July 31, 2025). "Latino Victory Fund Announces Endorsement of "Red to Blue" Congressional Candidates Poised to Make HERstory as First Latinas in Arizona, Nebraska and Pennsylvania" . Latino Victory . Retrieved July 31, 2025 .
Altimari, Daniela; McIntire, Mary Ellen (March 26, 2026). "At the Races: Belaboring the point" . Roll Call . Retrieved April 16, 2026 .
Duran, Ingrid; Pino, Catherine (May 22, 2025). "PODER PAC ENDORSES DENISE POWELL FOR CONGRESS IN NE-02" (PDF) . PODER PAC. Retrieved May 22, 2025 .
"VoteMama Candidates" .
Salinas, Juan II (September 8, 2025). "Omaha mayor endorses Crystal Rhoades in NE-02 Dem U.S. House primary" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved September 8, 2025 .
"John Cavanaugh Expands Lead in New Survey of Likely Democratic Primary Voters in NE-02" . GBAO . January 14, 2026. Retrieved January 20, 2026 – via Politico
Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (July 30, 2025). "Morning Digest: Seattle's mayor hopes to be the first to win reelection in two decades" . The Downballot. Retrieved July 30, 2025 .
Anderson, Jake (January 29, 2026). "2026 Nebraska Primary Election: Races, registration and important dates" . KETV . Retrieved March 10, 2026 .
Megan Hunt [@NebraskaMegan] (February 27, 2025). "The Nebraska Legislature has taken ten years off my life, made me so cynical I don't recognize myself, and shown me how shockingly cruel and evil average people can be. I will not be renewing my subscription nor upgrading to the congressional candidate package lol" (Tweet ). Retrieved February 27, 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter) .
Vakil, Caroline (July 8, 2025). "Dan Osborn launches independent Senate bid against Ricketts in Nebraska" . The Hill . Retrieved July 8, 2025 .
"Human Rights Campaign Endorses a Slate of Pro-Equality Members and Candidates Up for Election in Key Competitive U.S. House Districts" . Human Rights Campaign . June 24, 2026.
Beach, Brian (November 18, 2025). "First independent candidate enters Nebraska's 3rd District Congressional race" . Nebraska Public Media . Retrieved December 10, 2025 . Smith has announced he will be seeking an 11th term.
Von Kampen, Todd (June 5, 2025). "North Platte's David Huebner will oppose Rep. Smith in '26" . Omaha World-Herald . Retrieved June 5, 2025 .
"2026 Election United States House - Nebraska 3rd" . fec.gov . Federal Election Commission . Retrieved March 2, 2026 .
Salinas, Juan II (August 25, 2025). "Former Air Force attorney mulling indy bid against Nebraska U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith" . Nebraska Examiner . Retrieved August 25, 2025 .
Evans, Jordan Willow (March 3, 2026). "Nebraska Legal Marijuana NOW Party to Hold Contested U.S. Senate Primary" . Independent Political Report . Retrieved March 10, 2026 .
"Macey Budke of North Platte enters race for House of Representatives" . North Platte Bulletin . February 10, 2026. Retrieved February 16, 2026 .
"Cohen announces run for Third District in U.S. House" . Hastings Tribune . Retrieved November 13, 2025 .
External links
Official campaign websites for 1st district candidates Official campaign websites for 2nd district candidates Official campaign websites for 3rd district candidates
Government_(cropped).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
