Nebraska Public Media hosting 1st District debate between Flood, Backemeyer

Nebraska Public Media, in partnership with the Omaha World-Herald will host a 1st District Congressional debate Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. Central time.

The debate, between incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Flood and Democratic challenger Chris Backemeyer, will take place in Nebraska Public Media’s Ron Hull television studio and will be broadcast live on television, radio and digital platforms.

This will be the only 1st District debate that includes Flood and Backemeyer.

Aaron Sanderford, managing editor of the Omaha World-Herald, and Jackie Ourada, managing editor of Nebraska Public Media News, will moderate the 60-minute debate and will ask questions on a variety of topics.

The 1st District encompasses Butler, Cass, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Lancaster, Madison, Platte, Seward and Stanton counties, as well as parts of Polk and Sarpy counties.

Flood is seeking his third full term. He originally won a special election for the seat in June 2022 after former Rep. Jeff Fortenberry resigned. He then won the regular election that November and was reelected in November 2024.

Flood, a former state senator, grew up in Norfolk and still lives there.

Backemeyer moved back to Lincoln last year after a 20-year career working in the federal government, including a stint as a national security advisor to former Vice President Kamala Harris. He beat renewable energy manager Eric Moyer in the Democratic primary.

Libertarian Nik Sandman and Dan Hartong of the newly formed America First Party are also running for the 1st District seat.