First independent candidate enters Nebraska’s 3rd District Congressional race

The race to represent Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District has its first independent candidate.

Mark Cohen, a karate instructor, lawyer and U.S. Air Force veteran from Lemoyne, has announced his candidacy to unseat incumbent Rep. Adrian Smith.

Cohen’s campaign website and email signature include the phrase “We’re smarter than they think,” in reference to common beliefs about the district.

“Rural Nebraskans are more independent and more thoughtful than the politicians and media giants often assume,” his website reads.

Cohen criticized “ill-conceived tariffs and a one size fits all immigration policy” as hurting Nebraska’s agricultural industry. He said he will work to fund rural health care and make billionaires pay their fair share to help balance the budget.

Rep. Adrian Smith has represented the 3rd District, which includes more than 80 counties and all four corners of the state, since 2007. Smith has announced he will be seeking an 11th term.

In Congress, Smith serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over taxation, tariffs, Social Security and Medicare. Smith is also the chairman of the Trade Subcommittee. He has spoken out against broad tariffs and advocated for new trade deals.

Smith will face David Huebner, a former U.S. Border Patrol Agent from North Platte, in the Republican primary. Huebner describes himself as a “Christian, Family Man” and “Patriot” on his campaign website. He said he will “support the Trump administration while advancing issues and industries that matter to Nebraskans.”

Becky Stille of South Sioux City has also announced her run on the Democratic side. On her campaign website, Stille said saving family farms will be her top priority. She also said she is a supporter of a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions and will fight to protect Social Security and Medicare.

According to the Cook Partisan Voting Index, Nebraska’s 3rd District is the sixth-most Republican in the country out of the nation’s 435 districts. In 2024, Smith won reelection with more than 80% of the vote.

Democrat Lawrence Brock was the last non-Republican to win Nebraska’s 3rd District. He was elected in 1958.