Douglas County District Court Clerk exploring bid in Nebraska's crowded 2nd District field
Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades says 'some folks' have been lobbying her to run for the U.S. House in Nebraska's 2nd District. (Courtesy of Rhoades for Public Service Commission)
OMAHA — The Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District might soon get more crowded.
Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades told the Nebraska Examiner this week that she is 'testing-the-waters' for possibly jumping into the race in the Omaha-based 2nd District now represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon. She said she could be interested whether Bacon stays in the race or retires.
'It's certainly not a secret that I'm considering it,' Rhoades said.
She said 'some folks' have been lobbying her to get in, and her campaign shared internal polling indicating her and State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha within the margin of error for Democratic primary voters in NE-02. The polling has former political action committee co-founder and business owner Denise Powell at what Rhoades called a 'distant third.'
'John and I are starting from the same place,' Rhoades said.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh running for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd District
Earlier this month, Cavanaugh, the son of a former Democratic congressman from Omaha, formally announced his candidacy. Powell, the daughter of a leader in Spanish-language news, announced her bid in May. Besides the two highest-profile Democratic candidates in the race, Mark Johnston and Evangelos Argyrakis have confirmed they are running.
Republicans are waiting in the wings for Bacon's decision, a list that local conservatives have said includes former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding and perhaps Bacon's 2024 GOP primary challenger, Dan Frei.
The lifetime Omahan was the last Democrat elected to a statewide position as a member of the Nebraska Public Service Commission, the state's catch-all regulator for topics as varied as telecommunications and pipelines. She also has a history of helping local Democrats win elections as a political consultant, including a significant role in helping John Ewing Jr. become the first Democrat to lead the largest city in Nebraska in roughly a decade.
She pointed to her working-class background and her record of 'doing the right thing even when it's hard' as a plus for voters. Rhoades said she would focus on protecting and growing the middle class, creating jobs that pay a living wage and protecting democracy.
Rhoades told the Examiner that Cavanaugh and an unnamed potential candidate had asked her and her husband, Ben, to work on their campaigns. She said she would only join the House race if she sees data that shows her in the strongest position to defeat whichever Republican emerges.
'Ben [Onkka] and I are in the process of evaluating who the strongest candidate is for the district. If it's me, I'll run,' Rhoades said.
The polling indicates that potential Democratic primary voters in the district want someone who would fight President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, someone who can win and someone with a proven record. Rhoades described herself as a 'check, check, check' on those.
Denise Powell launches bid in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District
In recent weeks, Rhoades was rumored to be a candidate to replace Ewing in his former position as Douglas County treasurer, but the Douglas County Board this week hinted at wanting a 'non-political option' to fill the remainder of Ewing's term, someone who won't run for the office.
Rhoades said her experience differentiates her from the two high-profile Democrats in the House race. She said she has held multiple elective positions for over 20 years and knows how to help Democrats win elections.
She said that Cavanaugh could have some baggage as part of a political dynasty, and there are concerns about his potentially vacating a statehouse seat, because Republican Gov. Jim Pillen would get to appoint his replacement.
Rhoades said Powell's inexperience could make the race a 'very difficult time.'
'I think that this may not be the right time and the environment for … a rookie,' Rhoades said.
Rhoades has faced some criticisms from her years in service and work with Democrats in Douglas and Sarpy Counties, including for butting heads with some fellow Democrats and some co-workers in the Douglas County Courthouse.
Rhoades emphasizes that her decision on whether to run will be 'data-driven.' She says she lacks the hubris to believe that she is the only Democrat who can win. She said she would decide whether to form a federal fundraising committee or jump into the race in the coming weeks.
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