Nebraska 1st District
Mike Flood (R) holds this seat and is running again. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Mike Flood
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 106 of 110 votes and bills.
Raised $2,770,861 since January 2025: 50% from PACs and other committees, 42% from people, 7% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Chris Backemeyer
Democrat · former State Department and White House national security official
FLiberty Score F25 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Backemeyer has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Backemeyer.
Raised $1,154,613 since January 2025: 84% from people, 9% the candidate’s own money, 7% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Mike Flood. Mike Flood: A, 97 out of 100 from recorded votes. Chris Backemeyer: F, 25 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in Nebraska: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Chris Backemeyer, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Backemeyer, so the grade above comes from this list: what Backemeyer has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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Served as the State Department's lead sanctions expert in the 2015 nuclear talks with the Islamic Republic that produced the 2015 agreement.
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Negotiating the 2015 agreement is an act against liberty by this test.
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Called Iran's ruler an evil dictator and said Iran still has enough uranium for 10 warheads, without naming a policy.
“Iran is still controlled by an evil dictator. Iran still has enough uranium for 10 nuclear warheads,”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No sanction, deal or strike is named, so the words do not settle the measure.
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Lists strengthening international alliances through diplomacy, without naming Ukraine, Taiwan or NATO.
“Strengthen our international alliances through principled diplomacy”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No country or alliance is named, so the words do not settle the measure.
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Lists rolling back tariffs as a priority.
“Roll back tariffs that are hurting Nebraska’s farmers and driving up costs for producers and consumers”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is with liberty by this test.
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Wants the tax code rebalanced so billionaires and corporations pay more.
“Rebalance the tax code so that billionaires and corporations pay their fair share”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy are against liberty by this test.
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Proposes a public option to guarantee universal health coverage.
“Enact a true public option to guarantee universal coverage and force insurance companies to compete by offering lower prices and better coverage”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government backed universal coverage is against liberty by this test.
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Lists maintaining a strong national defense as a priority.
“Maintain a strong national defense to deter threats, protect U.S. interests, and ensure global security”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing a strong national defense is with liberty by this test.
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Lists a comprehensive immigration bill with a pathway to citizenship among his priorities.
“Pass comprehensive immigration reform that creates a genuine pathway to citizenship and keeps families together”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for people here illegally is against liberty by this test.
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Wants to claw back nearly 75 billion dollars of Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding.
“Claw back nearly $75 billion in excess funding from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Cutting ICE funding is against liberty by this test.
Also on the ballot
Daniel Hartong (America First), Nik Sandman (Libertarian).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
Nebraska 1st District
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