2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska
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November 3, 2026
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All 3 Nebraska seats to the United States House of Representatives | ||||||||||
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| Elections in Nebraska |
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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. The primary elections will take place on May 12, 2026.[1]
District 1
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
Declared
- Mike Flood, incumbent U.S. representative[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] | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Chris Backemeyer, former deputy assistant secretary of state[7]
- Eric Moyer, renewable energy developer[8]
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] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[9] | Safe R | February 6, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[10] | Safe R | March 10, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[11] | Safe R | April 10, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[12] | Likely R | September 26, 2025 |
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.[13] 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.[14]
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Brinker Harding, Omaha city councilor from the 6th district (2017–present)[15]
Filed paperwork
- Gavin Solomon, businessman from New York[16]
Withdrawn
- Brett Lindstrom, former state senator from the 18th district (2015–2023), candidate for this district in 2012, and candidate for governor in 2022[17]
Declined
- Don Bacon, incumbent U.S. representative[13]
- Chris Chappelear, former chair of the Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans[18]
- Aaron Hanson, Douglas County Sheriff[18]
- Aimee Melton, Omaha city councilor from the 7th district (2013–present) (endorsed Harding)[18]
Endorsements
Brinker Harding
- U.S. senators
- Deb Fischer, Nebraska (2013–present)[15]
- Pete Ricketts, Nebraska (2023–present)[19]
- U.S. representatives
- Don Bacon, NE-02 (2017–present)[20]
- Mike Flood, NE-01 (2022–present)[19]
- Adrian Smith, NE-03 (2007–present)[19]
- Hal Daub, former NE-02 (1981–1989)[15]
- Statewide officials
- Dave Heineman, former governor of Nebraska (2005–2015)[15]
- Mike Hilgers, attorney general of Nebraska (2023–present)[20]
- Bob Evnen, secretary of state of Nebraska (2019–present)[19]
- Joey Spellerberg, treasurer of Nebraska (2025–present)[19]
- Jim Pillen, governor of Nebraska (2023–present)[20]
- State legislators
- Kathleen Kauth, state senator from the 31st district (2022–present)[15]
- Rita Sanders, state senator from the 45th district (2021–present)[19]
Brett Lindstrom (withdrawn)
- State legislators
- Christy Armendariz, state senator from the 18th district (2023–present)[17]
- Tom Brewer, former state senator from the 43rd district (2017–2025)[17]
- Rita Sanders, state senator from the 45th district (2021–present)[17]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Brinker Harding (R) | $876,928 | $332,932 | $543,996 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[21] | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Van Argyrakis, attorney and perennial candidate[22]
- Kishla Askins, former deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2022–2024)[23]
- John Cavanaugh, state senator from the 9th district (2021–present) and son of former U.S. representative John J. Cavanaugh III[24]
- James Leuschen, former policy director for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer[25]
- Denise Powell, candidate training group co-founder[22]
- Crystal Rhoades, Douglas County District Court Clerk (2023–present) and former Nebraska Public Service Commissioner (2015–2023)[26]
Withdrawn
- Mark Johnston, ophthalmologist[27]
Declined
- Tony Vargas, former state senator and nominee for this district in 2022 and 2024 (endorsed Powell)[28]
Endorsements
John Cavanaugh
- U.S. senators
- Bob Kerrey, Nebraska (1989–2001)[30]
- Ben Nelson, Nebraska (2001–2013)[30]
- U.S. representatives
- Maxwell Frost, FL-10 (2023–present)[31]
- Pramila Jayapal, WA-07 (2017–present)[31]
- Ro Khanna, CA-17 (2017–present)[32]
- Jamie Raskin, MD-08 (2017–present)[31]
- State legislators
- Labor unions
- Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Nebraska Legislative Board[33]
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Locals 1521, 1483 and 763[33]
- Organizations
Denise Powell
- U.S. representatives
- Linda Sánchez, CA-38 (2003–present)[37]
- Annie Kuster, NH-02 (2013-2025)[38]
- Emily Randall, WA-06 (2025-present)[39]
- State legislators
- Dunixi Guereca, state senator from the 7th district (2025–present)[40]
- Margo Juarez, state senator from the 5th district (2025–present)[40]
- Tony Vargas, former state senator from the 7th district (2017–2025)[28]
- Local officials
- Leirion Gaylor Baird, mayor of Lincoln (2019–present)[41]
- Organizations
Crystal Rhoades
- Local officials
- John Ewing Jr., mayor of Omaha (2025–present)[48]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Kishla Askins (D) | $475,576 | $207,609 | $267,966 |
| John Cavanaugh (D) | $674,113 | $263,115 | $410,998 |
| Mark Johnston (D)[a] | $10,146 | $9,298 | $847 |
| James Leuschen (D) | $323,512 | $97,585 | $225,927 |
| Denise Powell (D) | $1,046,543 | $421,782 | $624,760 |
| Crystal Rhoades (D) | $112,610 | $77,477 | $35,133 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[21] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Kishla Askins |
John Cavanaugh |
Denise Powell |
Crystal Rhoades |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBAO (D)[49][A] | January 8–12, 2026 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 4% | 43% | 10% | 15% | 3%[c] | 24% |
| GBAO (D)[50][A] | July 21–23, 2025 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 4% | 36% | 9% | 15% | 5%[d] | 29% |
Independents
Candidates
Declined
- Megan Hunt, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)[51]
- 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)[52]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[9] | Lean D (flip) | June 30, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[10] | Tilt D (flip) | December 5, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[11] | Lean D (flip) | June 30, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[12] | Tilt D (flip) | February 3, 2026 |
District 3
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
Declared
- David Huebner, farmer and restaurant owner[53]
- Adrian Smith, incumbent U.S. representative[54]
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[55] | |||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Becky Stille, agriculture processing quality manager[56]
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[55] | |||
Third-party and independent candidates
Candidates
Declared
- Macey Budke, behavioral health practice manager (Independent)[57]
- Mark Cohen, former U.S. Air Force attorney (Independent)[58]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[9] | Safe R | February 6, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[10] | Safe R | March 10, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[11] | Safe R | April 10, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[12] | Safe R | September 26, 2025 |
Notes
- Partisan clients
References
- ^ "2026 State Primary Election Dates". NCSL. May 9, 2025. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ a b Fischer, Mark (November 3, 2025). "President Donald Trump endorses two Nebraska congressmen for re-election". KLKN. Retrieved November 6, 2025.
- ^ a b "Thank You for Supporting Pro-Israel Candidates". Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ a b "2026 Election United States House - Nebraska 1st". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved February 8, 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. August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c "2026 CPR House Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c "House Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved March 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c "2026 House". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
- ^ a b c "The 2026 House Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ "Statement of Candidacy". August 22, 2025
- ^ a b c d 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.
- ^ a b c Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (July 2, 2025). "Morning Digest: Colin Allred is back for a second Senate bid". The Downballot. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Harding, Brinker (February 16, 2026). "Endorsements". Brinker Harding. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ a b c Wade, Jessica (February 3, 2026). "Democrat Denise Powell leads 2025 fundraising in crowded 2nd District race". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ a b "2026 Election United States House - Nebraska 2nd". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Anderson, Jake (September 18, 2025). "Omaha native, Creighton University grad announces candidacy for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District". KETV. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "VoteVets PAC Endorses Kishla Askins in NE-02". VoteVets. November 18, 2025. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ a b c "2026 Endorsement Tracker". VoteHub. January 8, 2026. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ Lehrich, Jesse (December 5, 2025). "the new politics of endorsements". Nobody's Listening.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "CHC BOLD PAC Endorses Denise Powell in NE-02 and Carol Obando-Derstine in PA-07 to Flip Critical House Seats". July 10, 2025. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ^ "Nebraska congressional candidate Denise Powell raises $740,000 in campaign". October 7, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Emily Randall's Endorsements 2026". November 7, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ a b 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. October 30, 2025. 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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 Twitter.
- ^ Vakil, Caroline (July 8, 2025). "Dan Osborn launches independent Senate bid against Ricketts in Nebraska". The Hill. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ Von Kampen, Todd (June 5, 2025). "North Platte's David Huebner will oppose Rep. Smith in '26". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "2026 Election United States House - Nebraska 3rd". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved February 13, 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.
- ^ "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. November 13, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites for 1st district candidates
- Official campaign websites for 2nd district candidates
- Kishla Askins (D)
- John Cavanaugh (D)
- Brinker Harding (R)
- Mark Johnston (D)
- James Leuschen (D)
- Brett Lindstrom (R)
- Denise Powell (D)
- Crystal Rhoades (D)
- Official campaign websites for 3rd district candidates