Latest news with #BrinkerHarding
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom running for Congress in Nebraska's 2nd District
Former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha, who has entered the race to be the GOP candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska News Service) LINCOLN — Former Omaha State Sen. Brett Lindstrom has entered the race to be the Republican nominee to defend the Republican held 2nd Congressional District open seat. 'I'm running as a common-sense conservative to protect retirees and fight for working families … focused on the future and national security,' Lindstrom said. Lindstrom, 44, on Monday became the second Republican to join the race. He was long rumored to be one of the GOP candidates to jump into the Republican primary if Rep. Don Bacon chose not to run again in 2026. Omaha City Council Vice President Brinker Harding announced his bid last week. Bacon's 2024 GOP primary challenger, Dan Frei, is mulling a bid. Lindstrom emphasized that he doesn't 'really get caught up' in who's in the race, but looks forward to people getting to know him and the other candidates, then deciding the best candidate to represent them. Lindstrom said he is a 'proven candidate' with a 'proven record' of getting things done. The former state lawmaker who represented northwest Omaha in the Nebraska Capitol from 2015 to 2023 said he has a track record of a 'pragmatic' and 'common-sense' approach. Lindstrom was known for pushing bills that reduced state income taxes. He also voted to repeal the death penalty in the state, which was reinstated through a ballot measure in 2016. Lindstrom pointed to his role in passing legislation that phased out taxes on Social Security income. He said he wants to bring that to the Hill. President Donald Trump's recently passed 'big beautiful bill' does provide new temporary tax deductions for Social Security, but it doesn't eliminate the tax on the federal program. Lindstrom, a financial advisor, said he has been able to 'meet the challenges' the district faced during his time as a state senator, and is looking to 'continue to do that.' He said he wants to bring a different kind of leadership to Washington, an approach focused on 'real results, not partisan fights, because that's what Nebraska deserves.' He was one of the Republican lawmakers in the officially nonpartisan statehouse to survive the 2018 'blue wave.' This would be Lindstrom's fifth campaign for elected office – he unsuccessfully ran to be the Republican nominee for governor in 2022. Most of his support during that bid came from Omaha. The 2nd Congressional District is the state's most politically diverse and competitive — and could prove one of the most expensive races in Congress for the 2026 midterms. Democrats already have a crowded field in the primary. Omaha political action committee co-founder and business owner Denise Powell and Omaha State Sen. John Cavanaugh have announced bids. Democrats Mark Johnston and Evangelos Argyrakis are also running. Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades, a Democrat, has said she is considering a House bid. Lindstrom has endorsements from State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, State Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha and former State Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon. Harding has the endorsements of U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, former Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, and State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha. He also received the endorsement of former Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, who endorsed Lindstrom for governor in 2022. Lindstrom said his time in the Nebraska Legislature has given him the experience to handle the 'complexity' of Washington. 'The message and [my] work ethic will speak for itself,' he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Fox News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Omaha city councilman mounts bid to succeed outgoing House Republican Rep. Don Bacon
Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding has launched a bid to succeed outgoing U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., who announced that he will not seek re-election next year. "I'm a husband, father, businessman, and Omaha City Councilman. Today, I am announcing my run for Congress in NE-02 to make America more like its Heartland and to make the next 250 years a New Golden Age for America. I hope you'll join me!" Harding declared in a July 1 post on X. Bacon, who has served in Congress since 2017, has announced that he will finish his current term, but will not run for re-election in 2026. "Thank you, @DonJBacon, for your 30 years of distinguished service in the Air Force and a decade of dedicated leadership representing NE-02 in Congress," Harding declared in a June 30 post on X. "You've been a true statesman who's served with integrity and heart. Wishing you and Angie all the best in this next chapter." While Republicans have been divided on the issue, Bacon is a staunch proponent of U.S. aid to Ukraine. "It is a time for honesty. Peace talks are having zero effect on Putin. His goal is to dominate Ukraine & he won't stop until he realizes he cannot win. The U.S. & Allies must arm Ukraine to the teeth, sanction Russia to the max, & confiscate the $300B in overseas Russian assets," the congressman declared in a post on X in late May. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., is backing Harding for the House seat. "Throughout a lifetime of service to Omaha and Nebraska, Brinker Harding has always championed public safety, economic development, and fiscal responsibility. Brinker will make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. I am honored to endorse him for Congress," Fischer noted in a post on X.
The Hill
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Omaha city councilman launches bid for Bacon seat in House
Omaha City Council member Brinker Harding has launched a bid for Rep. Don Bacon's (R-Neb.) seat. 'I'm running for Congress because I'm choosing to fight for America's future, to make America more like its heartland, and to make the next 250 years a new golden age for America,' Harding said in a video posted to the social platform X on Tuesday. 'We have so much momentum, and together, we have so much more to accomplish,' he added. According to the Nebraska Examiner, 2017 marked Harding's start on the Omaha city council. He was also former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub's chief of staff and director of economic development. Bacon announced Monday he would not seek reelection next year, making space for a race that is likely to be competitive in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. 'After consultation with my family and much prayer, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2026 and will fulfill my term in the 119th Congress through January 2, 2027,' the Nebraska Republican said in a prior statement. 'After three decades in the Air Force and now going on one decade in Congress, I look forward to coming home in the evenings and being with my wife and seeing more of our adult children and eight grandchildren, who all live near my home,' he added.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Omaha City Council VP Brinker Harding jumps into Nebraska 2nd District U.S. House race
Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding is the first Republican to announce a bid on the GOP side after U.S. Rep. Don Bacon confirmed Monday he would not seek reelection in 2026. (Courtesy of Harding campaign) LINCOLN — Republican Omaha City Council Vice President Brinker Harding jumped into Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District race Tuesday to be the GOP nominee. 'I'm running for Congress to make America more like its heartland,' Harding said. 'I want to take those good things we do in Omaha, like balancing the budget, [having] record low crime, [and] a strong economy and take that to Washington and be successful.' He is the first Republican to announce a bid on the GOP side after U.S. Rep. Don Bacon confirmed Monday he would not seek reelection in 2026 — with more expected in the coming weeks. Harding has been a part of the Omaha City Council since 2017 after serving as chief of staff and director of economic development for former Omaha Mayor Hal Daub, highlighting city projects like the Dodge Expressway and Riverfront Parks. The councilman touted having cut the property tax levy three times. Harding's campaign set four pillars: Restore America, Grow America, Secure America and Renew America. His campaign says he wants to 'stop reckless spending that fuels inflation and threatens Social Security & Medicare.' It also says he wants to 'cut taxes for working families and small businesses,' 'finish the wall and enforce immigration laws' and 'reignite faith in the American Dream for the next generation.' He said he built his platform to broadly appeal to Republicans, Democrats and nonpartisans. 'Who wouldn't be for those good-paying jobs or growing the economy?' Harding asked. But Harding said his first focus is on winning the GOP primary and securing the nomination. Harding said he would probably be like Bacon in 'many ways,' but they have differences of opinion on many issues, saying he persuaded a Democrat to back him for a leadership role on the council. 'I appeal to a broad spectrum and factions of the party,' Harding told the Examiner. 'But at the same time, I don't sell out my values to gain that support.' His campaign rolled out a launch video Tuesday that nods to President Donald Trump's campaign slogans, including making sure the next 250 years of America is a 'new golden age.' The video also mentions the recent Los Angeles protests over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in the city and the recent winner of the New York Democratic mayoral primary — self-described democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani. 'What do we want our next 250 years to look like?' Harding asked. 'Do we want to be California or New York … or do we want to be more like America's heartland?' Nebraska U.S Rep. Don Bacon announces he won't run again in NE-02 Harding's announcement touted high-profile endorsements from U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, a close friend of Bacon's, former Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman, a fellow former Daub staffer, and State Sen. Kathleen Kauth, a Millard-area conservative who might be in line to run for speaker of the Legislature. He also has the endorsement of Daub, who represented the 2nd District in the 1980s. Harding emphasized his long roots in NE-02, which includes all of Douglas and Saunders Counties and parts of suburban Sarpy County. The district is the state's most politically diverse and competitive — and could prove one of Congress' most expensive races in the 2026 midterms. Other Republicans considering bids include former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, Bacon's 2024 GOP primary challenger, Dan Frei and former chairman of the Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans, Chris Chappelear. A group of Democrats is already jockeying for the nomination. Omaha political action committee co-founder and business owner Denise Powell and State Sen. John Cavanaugh have announced bids. Democrats Mark Johnston and Evangelos Argyrakis also are running. Another potential Democratic candidate, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades, has said she is considering a House bid. Harding expressed confidence in his ability to win the primary, partly because he has spent weeks assembling an experienced team that includes political and campaign veterans who have worked with Bacon and Fischer. 'We will be the hardest working, the most organized, and we will win, not only the primary, but we will win the general election come next November,' Harding said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nebraska U.S. Rep. Don Bacon will not seek reelection in Nebraska's 2nd District
One House Republican strategist who works on campaigns across the country and five local Republicans familiar with his process say Bacon is not running for reelection. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) OMAHA — Nebraska Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon appears poised to leave Congress in early 2027. One House Republican strategist who works on campaigns across the country said Bacon was not running for reelection and that he had already telegraphed what he was going to do. He spoke to the Examiner Friday on the condition that he not be named publicly, because he was not authorized to share the decision. 'Don't get me wrong,' the consultant said. 'This seat is tougher without Bacon, but he's not special. It can be done.' Five other local Republican sources familiar with Bacon's choice confirmed that he had decided to skip the 2026 race. They echoed Friday evening reports from Washington, D.C., including from Punchbowl News. Bacon's campaign had no immediate comment on the reports. But people who know politics in Nebraska's Omaha-based 2nd District had been buzzing for days about the possibility of Bacon making a decision as soon as next week. Bacon had planned to meet with local reporters early next week. Part of the buzz came from a group of Nebraska Republicans waiting on Bacon's decision, a list that local conservatives have said includes former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom and Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding, and might also include Bacon's 2024 GOP primary challenger, Dan Frei. Bacon, in recent interviews with the Nebraska Examiner and other publications, had been hinting that he might step away, with the retired Air Force brigadier saying that he had to speak with his family and decide. Bacon's decision would cause national political shockwaves, as Bacon represents one of a handful of true swing districts left nationally, one that is Nebraska's most political divided and diverse. The 2nd District includes all of Douglas and Saunders Counties and a significant slice of western suburban and rural Sarpy County. The district includes the state's largest concentration of Democrats and was redistricted to include a larger swath of Republican-leaning rural voters in Wahoo and surrounding areas. Neither the Nebraska Republican Party nor the National Republican Congressional Committee had any immediate comment. 'The writing has been on the wall for months,' said Madison Andrus, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of congressional Democrats. Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, tweeted after Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman tweeted the news that local Democrats have been ready. 'Don Bacon and all the Republicans who give Trump cover see the writing on the wall–voters actually want politicians to focus on issues that impact our pocket books not made up culture wars,' she said. She touted the Democrats who have already announced, including political action committee co-founder and business owner Denise Powell and State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha. Before word of Bacon's future broke on Friday, a third major Democrat confirmed she is considering a bid, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades. Powell, in a statement, thanks Bacon for his service in the military and in Congress and said it 'takes courage to recognize when a fresh perspective is warranted.' 'This district is clearly ready for — and deserves — change,' Powell said. Cavanaugh, in a statement, thanked Bacon 'for his decades of service to his country' and wished him well. 'The people of Nebraska's 2nd District know it's time for a change,' Cavanaugh said. Rhoades, in a statement, said Bacon had 'finally realized what has been obvious to all of us: Republicans can't defend their record this year.' 'Costs are going up, they're cutting healthcare, but they're giving tax breaks to billionaires,' Rhoades said. Bacon has been able to fend off multiple Democratic challengers in recent years, thanks in part to the district's slight GOP tilt. Now, it could be a mad dash for both parties toward an open seat. The retired Air Force brigadier general gained national attention for being one of the few Republicans to criticize President Donald Trump, though, despite Bacon's criticism, he often ended up siding with his party as a reliable GOP vote. He survived pointed criticism from Trump and multiple attempts to recruit a GOP challenger from the president and his political team. Bacon most recently defeated former State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha in back-to-back elections. Before that, he defeated Omaha progressive Kara Eastman in two successive contests. And he won election in 2016 by defeating the last Democrat to hold the 'blue dot' seat, the late-U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford, D-Neb. Besides the two highest-profile Democratic candidates in the race, Mark Johnston and Evangelos Argyrakis have confirmed they are running. Whoever emerges from the 2026 Democratic primary will have to tangle with a former gubernatorial candidate in Lindstrom, a longtime City Council member in Harding or perhaps a state officeholder on the Republican side. The nonpartisan Center for Politics, the home of Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball, just shifted the Omaha-based House race to lean Democrat from toss-up. Examiner Editor-in-chief Aaron Sanderford contributed to this report. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
