Who's running in Nebraska's 1st congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Candidates
4
Incumbent
Mike Flood
Parties
Republican · Democratic · Libertarian · America First
4 candidates · ballot order · Mike Flood currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Lowering housing costs through the bipartisan housing bill he co-sponsored, which became law.
The 2025 tax law, which he calls 'the largest tax cut in American history.'
Banning stock trading by members of Congress and extending it to the president and vice president.
Body cameras for ICE agents.
Ending the Iran war as soon as possible without leaving Iran a security risk.
Not legalising cannabis federally, while saying Nebraska's Legislature must respect voters' medical cannabis initiatives.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Nebraska's 1st District since July 2022.
Unopposed in the May 12, 2026 Republican primary.
Held six town halls in two years, including three in 2026, per Nebraska Public Media.
Voted against a recent Ukraine aid package and for release of the Epstein files, per Nebraska Public Media.
Endorsed by President Trump, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
'While Washington is gridlocked, I am getting things done: passing bipartisan legislation to lower housing costs, supporting the largest tax cut in American history, and delivering more than $100 million in federal funding back to Nebraska.'
— Rep. Mike Flood, primary night statement (Nebraska Public Media)
President Trump endorsed Flood for re-election.
— President Donald Trump, per Wikipedia's race page
Arguments against
'This is a trade war that Congressman Flood voted for, and is having a real-world impact' on construction and grocery prices; Flood 'doesn't want to stand on stage and defend a war with no strategy, a bill he admits he didn't read and tariffs crushing our farmers.'
— Chris Backemeyer, Democratic opponent (Lincoln Journal Star)
Flood is 'just out of touch', and his answers on legalising medical cannabis were 'incredibly weak.'
— Austin Ahlman, former independent candidate (Lincoln Journal Star)
What we couldn’t verify
A debate had not been scheduled: Flood's campaign offered September 21 and 23, Backemeyer's campaign offered any date in October, and each accused the other of avoiding a debate.
No DCCC material on Flood was loaded; national Democrats added the district to their 'Districts in Play' list in August, per the Nebraska Examiner, whose site could not be loaded.
Ending the tariffs he says have driven up construction and grocery prices and hurt farmers.
Opposing the administration's $1.776 billion 'anti-weaponization fund', which he calls a 'slush fund' for people who stormed the Capitol.
Opposing the war in Iran, which he says has 'no strategy.'
Talking 'to every single voter we can' about making their lives better.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Former State Department official, including deputy assistant secretary of state.
Won the May 12, 2026 Democratic primary with 58% over Eric Moyer.
Arguments in favor
National Democrats added this seat to their Districts in Play programme in August 2026 on his behalf, saying Nebraska voters "are souring on Flood's wildly unpopular record of raising costs, attacking affordable health care, and hurting working families."
'Nebraskans deserve an opportunity to hear from both candidates before voting begins. Chris Backemeyer told Nebraska media he wants to debate, but Back-Track Backemeyer turned down multiple dates.'
— Mike Flood campaign statement (Lincoln Journal Star)
What we couldn’t verify
Beyond the DCCC designation, no published argument for Backemeyer from an outside endorser could be loaded; an AFGE endorsement page was found but could not be read. Searched: 'Chris Backemeyer' with endorsement, DCCC, NRCC and criticism; Nebraska Examiner, Lincoln Journal Star, Omaha World-Herald, KOLN and Nebraska Public Media coverage.
His campaign website and fundraising were not found in a loaded source.
The America First Party's platform: limited government, reducing spending and debt, no new wars, government transparency and holding officials accountable regardless of party.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Filed as the America First Party nominee on September 1, 2026.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Nothing about Hartong's own background or positions could be found; little public information about him exists. Republican officials have called the new party an effort to 'trick' conservative voters, but that criticism is aimed at the party rather than Hartong.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Nebraska's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: the 2021 districts remain in use. Gov. Jim Pillen said in October 2025 he was 'open' to mid-decade redistricting under White House pressure, but no redraw was enacted and no pending congressional map case was found. Primaries were held May 12, 2026. The roster matches the Nebraska Secretary of State's final general election candidate filing list (September 11, 2026): Republican Rep. Mike Flood, unopposed in his primary; Democrat Chris Backemeyer, who beat Eric Moyer with 58%; Libertarian Nik Sandman; and Dan Hartong of the newly recognised America First Party, which the Nebraska Supreme Court allowed onto the ballot over a Republican Party challenge. Independent Austin Ahlman suspended his campaign. The district covers 12 counties in eastern Nebraska, including Lincoln, Bellevue, Papillion, Fremont, Columbus and Norfolk, and Offutt Air Force Base. Candidates are listed in the order of the Secretary of State's filing list; that is not necessarily the printed ballot order, and it implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Nebraska ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.