2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska
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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.
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.[1]
Republican primary
Potential
- Mike Flood, incumbent U.S. Representative
Democratic primary
Declared
- Eric Moyer, actor[2]
Publicly expressed interest
- Chris Backemeyer, former deputy assistant secretary of state[3]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Mike Flood (R) | $760,431 | $290,624 | $690,589 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[4] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[5] | Safe R | February 6, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[6] | Safe R | March 10, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[7] | Safe R | April 10, 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.[1] On June 30, 2025, Bacon announced he would not seek re-election.[8] 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.[9]
Republican primary
Declared
- Brinker Harding, Omaha city councilor from the 6th district (2017–present)[10]
- Brett Lindstrom, former state senator from the 18th district (2015–2023), candidate for this district in 2012, and candidate for governor in 2022[11]
Potential
- Dan Frei, former member of the Nebraska Republican Party State Central Committee and candidate for this district in 2014 and 2024[12]
Declined
- Don Bacon, incumbent U.S. representative[8]
- Chris Chappelear, former chair of the Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans[13]
- Aaron Hanson, Douglas County Sheriff[13]
- Aimee Melton, Omaha city councilor from the 7th district (2013–present) (endorsed Harding)[13]
Endorsements
Brinker Harding
- U.S. senators
- Deb Fischer, U.S. senator from Nebraska (2013–present)[10]
- U.S. representatives
- Hal Daub, former U.S. representative from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district (1981–1989)[10]
- Statewide officials
- Dave Heineman, former governor of Nebraska (2005–2015)[10]
- State legislators
- Kathleen Kauth, state senator from the 31st district (2022–present)[10]
Brett Lindstrom
- State legislators
- Christy Armendariz, state senator from the 18th district (2023–present)[11]
- Tom Brewer, former state senator from the 43rd district (2017–2025)[11]
- Rita Sanders, state senator from the 45th district (2021–present)[11]
Democratic primary
Declared
- Evangelos Argyrakis, attorney and perennial candidate[12]
- Kishla Askins, former deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2022–2024)[14]
- John Cavanaugh, state senator from the 9th district (2021–present) and son of former U.S. representative John J. Cavanaugh III[15]
- Denise Powell, candidate training group co-founder[12]
- Crystal Rhoades, Douglas County District Court Clerk (2023–present) and former Nebraska Public Service Commissioner (2015–2023)[16]
Potential
- Tony Veland, former Denver Broncos football player[17]
Withdrawn
- Mark Johnston, ophthalmologist[18]
Declined
- Tony Vargas, former state senator and nominee for this district in 2022 and 2024 (endorsed Powell)[19]
Endorsements
John Cavanaugh
- U.S. senators
- Bob Kerrey, U.S. senator from Nebraska (1989–2001)[20]
- Ben Nelson, U.S. senator from Nebraska (2001–2013)[20]
- State legislators
- 8 state senators[20]
Denise Powell
- State legislators
- Dunixi Guereca, state senator from the 7th district (2025–present)[21]
- Margo Juarez, state senator from the 5th district (2025–present)[21]
- Tony Vargas, state senator from the 7th district (2017–2025) and nominee for this district in 2022 and 2024[19]
- Organizations
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| John Cavanaugh (D) | $130,341 | $3,218 | $127,123 |
| Denise Powell (D) | $429,740 | $89,618 | $340,122 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[25] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size[a] | Margin of error | Kishla Askins | John Cavanaugh | Mark Johnston | Denise Powell | Crystal Rhoades | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBAO (D)[26][A] | July 21–23, 2025 | 400 (LV) | ± 4.37% | 4% | 36% | 5% | 9% | 15% | 29% |
Independents
Declined
- Megan Hunt, state senator[27]
- 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)[28]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[5] | Lean D (flip) | June 30, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[6] | Tossup | June 30, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[7] | Lean D (flip) | June 30, 2025 |
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.[1]
Republican primary
Declared
- David Huebner, farmer and restaurant owner[29]
Potential
- Adrian Smith, incumbent U.S. representative
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| David Huebner (R) | $9,951 | $5,215 | $4,736 |
| Adrian Smith (R) | $622,438 | $320,397 | $1,230,273 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[30] | |||
Democratic primary
Filed paperwork
- Becky Lynn Stille[31]
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Becky Stille (D) | $28,161 | $23,647 | $4,514 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[30] | |||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[5] | Safe R | February 6, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[6] | Safe R | March 10, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[7] | Safe R | April 10, 2025 |
Notes
- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
- Partisan clients
- ^ Poll sponsored by Cavanaugh's campaign
References
- ^ a b c "2024 House Vote Tracker". Cook Political Report. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
- ^ "Political newcomer enters race for Mike Flood's seat". KOLN. August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David (August 19, 2025). "Morning Digest: The Downballot rings in its first anniversary today!". The Downballot. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Election United States House - Nebraska 1st". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 15, 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 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.
- ^ a b c d Salinas, Juan II (July 7, 2025). "Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom running for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd District". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c Salinas, Juan II (May 1, 2025). "Denise Powell launches bid in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Salinas, Juan II (July 21, 2025). "Crystal Rhoades jumps into crowded Nebraska 2nd District field". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ Gonzales, Nathan L. (June 11, 2025). "Meet 11 House candidates — or potential ones — who don't fit the mold". Roll Call. Retrieved June 11, 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.
- ^ 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 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "2026 Election United States House - Nebraska 2nd". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (July 30, 2025). "The Downballot". 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.
- ^ a b "2026 Election United States House - Nebraska 3rd". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ Salinas, Juan II (June 12, 2025). "Former Border Patrol agent David Huebner challenges Nebraska U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites for 1st district candidates
- Official campaign websites for 2nd district candidates
- Kishla Askins (D) for Congress
- John Cavanaugh (D) for Congress
- Brinker Harding (R) for Congress
- Mark Johnston (D) for Congress
- Brett Lindstrom (R) for Congress
- Denise Powell (D) for Congress
- Crystal Rhoades (D) for Congress
- Official campaign websites for 3rd district candidates