2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the three U.S. representatives from the state of Nebraska, one from each of the state's congressional districts. The elections will coincide with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. Primary elections took place on May 12, 2026.[1]
_(cropped).jpg)
 | ||||||||||
November 3, 2026
| ||||||||||
All 3 Nebraska seats to the United States House of Representatives | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||
District 1
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
.jpg)
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
Candidates
Nominee
- Mike Flood, incumbent U.S. representative (2022–present)[3]
Endorsements
Mike Flood
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[4]
- 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
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Flood (incumbent) | 53,094 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 53,094 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Chris Backemeyer, former deputy assistant secretary of state[8]
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
Backemeyer
- Backemeyer—50–60%
- Backemeyer—60–70%
Moyer
- Moyer—50–60%
| 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
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libertarian | Nik Sandman | 479 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 479 | 100.0 | ||
America First Party
Nominee
- Daniel Hartong[11]
Independents
Candidates
Withdrawn
- Austin Ahlman, investigative reporter for The Intercept[12]
Endorsements
Austin Ahlman (withdrawn)
- Organizations
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Desk HQ[14] | Likely R | July 14, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[15] | Safe R | February 6, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[16] | Safe R | March 10, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[17] | Safe R | April 10, 2025 |
Post-primary endorsements
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Mike Flood (R) |
Chris Backemeyer (D) |
Austin Ahlman (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Strategy Group (D)[19][A] | August 31 – September 3, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 43% | 7% | 7% |
| 45% | 49% | – | 6% | ||||
| July 19, 2026 | Ahlman withdraws | ||||||
| Tavern Research (D)[20] | May 16–19, 2026 | 1,079 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 41% | 33% | 9% | 17% |
| 45% | 43% | – | 12% | ||||
| 41% | – | 36% | 23% | ||||
| Zenith Research (D)[21] | May 8–11, 2026 | 371 (LV) | ± 5.1% | 45% | 38% | – | 17% |
| 44% | – | 36% | 20% | ||||
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Mike Flood (R) | $2,368,910 | $1,028,941 | $1,560,750 |
| Chris Backemeyer (D) | $592,233 | $301,622 | $290,610 |
| Nik Sandman (L) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Daniel Hartong (AF) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[22] | |||
Debate
| No. | Date | Host | Moderator | Link | Republican | Democratic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key: P Participant A Absent N Not invited I Invited W Withdrawn |
||||||
| Mike Flood | Chris Backemeyer | |||||
| 1[23] | Sep. 23, 2026 | Nebraska Public Media Omaha World-Herald Rural Radio Network |
Jackie Ourada Aaron Sanderford |
YouTube | P | P |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Flood (incumbent) | ||||
| Democratic | Chris Backemeyer | ||||
| Libertarian | Nik Sandman | ||||
| America First | Daniel Hartong | ||||
| Total votes | |||||
District 2
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
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] On June 30, 2025, Bacon announced he would not seek re-election.[24] Bacon is one of only three Republicans in the 119th Congress to represent a district that was carried by Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, making this race a key Democratic target.[25]
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Brinker Harding, Omaha city councilor from the 6th district (2017–present)[26]
Withdrawn
- Brett Lindstrom, former state senator from the 18th district (2015–2023), candidate for this district in 2012, and candidate for governor in 2022 (ran for governor as an independent)[27]
Declined
- Don Bacon, incumbent U.S. representative[24] (endorsed Harding)
- Chris Chappelear, former chair of the Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans[28]
- Aaron Hanson, Douglas County Sheriff[28]
- Aimee Melton, Omaha city councilor from the 7th district (2013–present) (endorsed Harding)[28]
Endorsements
Brinker Harding
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[29]
- U.S. senators
- Deb Fischer, Nebraska (2013–present)[26]
- Pete Ricketts, Nebraska (2023–present)[30]
- U.S. representatives
- Don Bacon, NE-02 (2017–present)[31]
- Mike Flood, NE-01 (2022–present)[30]
- Richard Hudson, NC-09 (2013–present)[32]
- Adrian Smith, NE-03 (2007–present)[30]
- Hal Daub, former NE-02 (1981–1989)[26]
- Statewide officials
- Dave Heineman, former governor of Nebraska (2005–2015)[26]
- Mike Hilgers, attorney general of Nebraska (2023–present)[31]
- Bob Evnen, secretary of state of Nebraska (2019–present)[30]
- Joey Spellerberg, treasurer of Nebraska (2025–present)[30]
- Jim Pillen, governor of Nebraska (2023–present)[31]
- State legislators
- Kathleen Kauth, state senator from the 31st district (2022–present)[26]
- Rita Sanders, state senator from the 45th district (2021–present)[30]
- Organizations
Brett Lindstrom (withdrawn)
- State legislators
- Christy Armendariz, state senator from the 18th district[27]
- Tom Brewer, former state senator from the 43rd district[27]
- Rita Sanders, state senator from the 45th district[27]
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[33] | |||
Results
| 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[34]
Eliminated in primary
- Van Argyrakis, attorney and perennial candidate[34]
- Kishla Askins, former deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2022–2024)[35]
- John Cavanaugh, state senator from the 9th district (2021–present) and son of former U.S. representative John J. Cavanaugh III[36]
- Melanie Williams, candidate for state legislature in 2020[37]
- Crystal Rhoades, Douglas County District Court Clerk (2023–present) and former Nebraska Public Service Commissioner (2015–2023)[38]
Withdrawn
- Mark Johnston, ophthalmologist[39]
- James Leuschen, former policy director for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (remained on ballot)[40]
Declined
- Tony Vargas, former state senator and nominee for this district in 2022 and 2024 (endorsed Powell,[41] running for Douglas County Treasurer)[42]
Endorsements
Kishla Askins
- Organizations
John Cavanaugh
- U.S. senators
- Bob Kerrey, Nebraska (1989–2001)[45]
- Ben Nelson, Nebraska (2001–2013)[45]
- U.S. representatives
- Maxwell Frost, FL-10 (2023–present)[46]
- Pramila Jayapal, WA-07 (2017–present)[46]
- Ro Khanna, CA-17 (2017–present)[47]
- Jamie Raskin, MD-08 (2017–present)[46]
- State legislators
- Danielle Conrad, state senator from the 46th district) (2023–present)[45]
- George Dungan, state senator from the 26th district (2023–present)[48]
- Ashlei Spivey, state senator from the 13th district (2025–present)[45]
- 4 other state senators[45]
- Labor unions
- Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Nebraska Legislative Board[49]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 1521, 1483 and 763[49]
- Organizations
Denise Powell
- U.S. representatives
- Emily Randall, WA-06 (2025-present)[46]
- Andrea Salinas, OR-06 (2003–present)[46]
- Linda Sánchez, CA-38 (2003–present)[46]
- Greg Stanton, AZ-04 (2019–present)[46]
- Norma Torres, CA-35 (2003–present)[46]
- Annie Kuster, former NH-02 (2013–2025)[55]
- State legislators
- Dunixi Guereca, state senator from the 7th district (2025–present)[56]
- Margo Juarez, state senator from the 5th district (2025–present)[56]
- Tony Vargas, former state senator from the 7th district (2017–2025)[41]
- Local officials
- Leirion Gaylor Baird, mayor of Lincoln (2019–present)[57]
- Organizations
Crystal Rhoades
- Local officials
- John Ewing Jr., mayor of Omaha (2025–present)[65]
Declined to endorse
- State legislators
- Megan Hunt, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present) (Independent)[48]
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[33] | |||
Polling
Results
Powell
- Powell—30–40%
- Powell—40–50%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Denise Powell | 22,516 | 38.8 | |
| Democratic | John Cavanaugh | 21,115 | 36.4 | |
| Democratic | Crystal Rhoades | 8,180 | 14.1 | |
| Democratic | Kishla Askins | 3,499 | 6.0 | |
| Democratic | Melanie Williams | 2,222 | 3.8 | |
| Democratic | James Leuschen (withdrawn) | 320 | 0.6 | |
| Democratic | Van Argyrakis | 152 | 0.3 | |
| Total votes | 58,004 | 100.0 | ||
Libertarian primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Eric Foreman[68]
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Libertarian | Eric Foreman | 388 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 388 | 100.0 | ||
Independents
Candidates
Declined
- Megan Hunt, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)[69]
- Dan Osborn, former president of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024 (running for U.S. Senate)[70]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Desk HQ[14] | Likely D (flip) | July 14, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[15] | Lean D (flip) | June 30, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[16] | Tilt D (flip) | December 5, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[17] | Lean D (flip) | June 30, 2025 |
Post-primary endorsements
Brinker Harding (R)
- U.S. representatives
- Mike Johnson, speaker of the House (2023–present) from LA-04 (2017–present)[71]
Denise Powell (D)
- Executive branch officials
- Pete Buttigieg, former secretary of transportation (2021–2025)[71]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Brinker Harding (R) | $2,034,386 | $963,618 | $1,070,769 |
| Denise Powell (D) | $2,668,287 | $1,670,897 | $997,390 |
| Eric Foreman (L) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[22] | |||
Polling
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brinker Harding | ||||
| Democratic | Denise Powell | ||||
| Libertarian | Eric Foreman | ||||
| Total votes | |||||
District 3
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
.jpg)
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
Nominee
- Adrian Smith, incumbent U.S. representative[76]
Eliminated in primary
- David Huebner, farmer and restaurant owner[77]
Endorsements
Adrian Smith
- Executive branch officials
- Donald Trump, president of the United States (2017–2021, 2025–present)[4]
- 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[78] | |||
Results
Smith
- Smith—50–60%
- Smith—60–70%
- Smith—70–80%
- Smith—80–90%
Huebner
- Huebner—50–60%
- Huebner—60–70%
- Huebner—70–80%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Adrian Smith (incumbent) | 60,549 | 64.7 | |
| Republican | David Huebner | 33,020 | 35.3 | |
| Total votes | 93,569 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Becky Stille, agriculture processing quality manager[79]
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[78] | |||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Becky Stille | 18,113 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 18,113 | 100.0 | ||
Legal Marijuana Now primary
Candidates
Nominee
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Marijuana Now | David Else | 191 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 191 | 100.0 | ||
Nebraska Working People Party
Candidates
Nominee
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Mark Cohen, former U.S. Air Force attorney (Independent)[83]
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[78] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Decision Desk HQ[14] | Safe R | July 14, 2026 |
| The Cook Political Report[15] | Safe R | February 6, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[16] | Safe R | March 10, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[17] | Safe R | April 10, 2025 |
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2026 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Adrian Smith (R) | $1,777,413 | $1,682,292 | $1,023,354 |
| Becky Stille (D) | $55,101 | $40,267 | $14,833 |
| David Else (LMN) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Macey Budke (NWP) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Mark Cohen (I) | $33,064 | $30,616 | $5,974 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[22] | |||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Adrian Smith | ||||
| Democratic | Becky Stille | ||||
| Legal Marijuana Now | David Else | ||||
| Working People | Macey Budke | ||||
| Independent | Mark Cohen | ||||
| Total votes | |||||