LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — Senator Mike Flood announced Sunday that he will run against fellow Republican Jeff Fortenberry for Nebraska’s 1st congressional district.
Senator Flood currently represents Nebraska's District 19 in the Legislature.
Flood is the latest challenger to Fortenberry. Democrat Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks announced her run back in November.
"If our nominee has to focus on fighting felony criminal charges, instead of defeating a serious Democrat opponent... this seat is in jeopardy," Flood said.
Flood is promising to address issues - that he says are impacting "middle-class Americans" like inflation, immigration and retaining a qualified workforce for employers.
"We're here today because of the situation that Congressman Fortenberry is in as it relates to the indictment - I respect his service and I look forward to being a challenger that can not only win the primary, but win the general," Flood said.
Fortenberry announced that he will run for re-election earlier this month.
This announcement adds another challenge to Fortenberry holding his seat. He is still under indictment for allegedly concealing and falsifying information to the FBI about illegal campaign contributions.
Nebraska Democratic Party Chair, Jane Kleeb said in a statement:
“This is the first crack in the GOP firewall. The Republicans like to pretend that Jeff Fortenberry is not in trouble which is a fantasy. This is a generational opportunity for Democrats to win the CD1 seat by sending state Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks or Jazari Kual to Washington D.C. with new ideas and hope.”
3 News Now reporter Isabella Basco was in Lincoln when the announcement was made.
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