Candidates for First Congressional District prepare for special election
'A lot at stake' candidates say
'A lot at stake' candidates say
'A lot at stake' candidates say
"A lot at stake," that's what both candidates vying for Nebraska's First Congressional seat say about Tuesday's special election.
The run-off between Republican Mike Flood and Democrat Patty Pansing Brooks was prompted by 17-year incumbent Jeff Fortenbury's resignation on March 31 after he was convicted of three federal counts of concealing facts and lying to investigators about illegal foreign campaign contributions.
State senator Mike Flood started his day in Papillion.
It was the first stop on a six-city "get out to vote" tour of the First Congressional District.
Gov. Pete Ricketts, a key supporter was by his side.
"It's very important that people get out and vote. We have not had a special election in the state in a long, long time," Ricketts said.
"Tomorrow depends a lot on turnout. We have to have a good turnout. We have to get people to the polls, and not take this for granted because there's a lot at stake here," Flood said.
In Lincoln Flood picked up the endorsement of the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police.
And he hammered a partisan message on inflation and gas prices.
"People in the First Congressional District, they're tired of the inflation the grocery store prices, the gas prices, they want the brakes put on the Biden-Pelosi agenda," Flood said.
Democratic State Senator Patty Pansing Brooks worked the phones most of the day and then stood alongside supporters carrying signs on O Street in Lincoln.
"Everybody's tired of the parties and the extremes and the mudslinging and the grenade launching, and it's time to come together and work for America," Pansing Brooks said. Pansing Brooks is a long-time abortion rights advocate.
She said her campaign has energized after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v Wade last Friday.
"The fact is that, that they're attempting to make women a second class citizens and we've got to stand up and say no," Pansing Brooks said.
"This will be the first time in the nation that we will be able to vote on the right to privacy," Pansing Brooks said.
Even the Ricketts' family will be split on Tuesday's special election.
First Lady Susanne Shore endorsed Pansing Brooks and contributed money to her campaign.
"My wife's a Democrat and so we have robust political conversations in the household but it just shows that you know, people's good conscience can disagree doesn't mean they're bad people," Ricketts said.
The winner of Tuesday's special election only fills Fortenbury's vacant seat until January.
The November election determines the Congressperson for the next term.
The high court ruling on Roe v Wade adds a twist to the special election.
It's now left to the states to determine the issue.
If Pansing Brooks wins the special, Ricketts could appoint her replacement in the state legislature.
And since she has voted for women's rights that could be a determining factor if a special session is called to ban all abortions in Nebraska.
Flood said he is pro-life.