SouthernWorldwide.com – A progressive journalist has entered the race for Nebraska’s first congressional district, potentially complicating the path for the Democratic nominee to unseat the Republican incumbent.
Austin Ahlman announced his candidacy as a nonpartisan independent on Thursday. He will challenge incumbent Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., and the Democratic nominee, Chris Backemeyer.
Ahlman, who works for the progressive outlet The Intercept, made his announcement just two days after his opponents secured their respective party nominations in the primaries.
Rep. Mike Flood has represented the district since winning a special election in 2022. His Democratic challenger, Chris Backemeyer, is a former State Department employee. Backemeyer served in President Barack Obama’s administration and also acted as a Special Advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris on national security and policy matters.
Ahlman has been critical of Backemeyer, describing him as a “creature of the establishment in D.C.” He stated that he sees little difference between the Democratic nominee and the current Republican representative.
Ahlman told the Lincoln Journal Star that he has confronted corporations that he believes are harming the state. He also claimed to have exposed corruption among politicians who are allegedly exploiting and betraying the public.
“I don’t think that either one of the two can say that,” Ahlman asserted, differentiating himself from his opponents. He believes they are part of the established system, while he identifies as being from the working class.
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Following his victory in the 2022 special election by a five-point margin, Flood secured wins in both of his subsequent general elections with comfortable leads. He won by 15 points in the 2022 general election and by over 20 points in 2024. The Cook Political Report designates Nebraska’s first district as a strong Republican stronghold.
According to Cook Political Report, a significant shift in the district’s political landscape would require both an “anemic” Republican voter turnout and a robust Democratic turnout. Ahlman’s independent candidacy now adds another layer of complexity, as some Nebraska political leaders have suggested to local media that the progressive candidate could divide the vote.
Jane Kleeb, Chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, issued a statement provided to the Nebraska Examiner. She argued that Mike Flood has failed the district and that splitting the vote with a third-party candidate will not resolve the issues.
“Nebraska doesn’t need noise from either extreme,” Kleeb stated. “We need a steady, experienced leader who will fight for fairness and protect our democracy. That’s Chris Backemeyer.”
Backemeyer’s campaign informed the Examiner that he is focused on defeating Congressman Flood. Their objective is to prevent what they describe as “Trump’s tariffs, devastating healthcare cuts and illegal war that are hurting Nebraskans.”
Meanwhile, Flood’s campaign has framed Ahlman’s independent challenge as a sign of weakness within the Democratic Party. They contend that Ahlman is attempting to “sabotage the campaign of a Kamala Harris adviser because the Democratic Party is in shambles.”
Daniel Bass, a spokesperson for Flood, told the Examiner that while Backemeyer and Ahlman compete for second place, Congressman Flood will continue to deliver results for Nebraskans.
