Nebraska Republicans are assessing Tuesday’s election results, with party leaders highlighting victories in the state while acknowledging a difficult night nationally. During a Republican news conference Wednesday morning, Congressman Mike Flood, Attorney General Mike Hilgers, Sen. Pete Ricketts and Sen. Deb Fischer discussed the election, legislative priorities and the challenges facing Republicans moving forward.
Flood praised Democratic challenger Chris Backemeyer after confirming he received a concession call following their race for Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District. Flood also called for bringing people together following the election, including voters who supported his opponent.
“Regardless of who you supported, we’ve got to figure out a way to make this country work for everybody,” Flood says. He also outlined priorities for Congress during the upcoming lame-duck session, including passage of the Farm Bill, the National Defense Authorization Act and the Clarity Act. He said much of that legislation is awaiting action in the Senate.
Hilgers said Republicans maintained their political footing in Nebraska despite setbacks for the party nationally. “It was a difficult night nationally, certainly, I think for Republicans and conservative values, but Nebraska held serve, and we had a number of amazing candidates who won,” Hilgers said.
Hilgers credited strong candidates and organized campaigns for the state’s Republican results, while emphasizing the importance of leadership and character. Ricketts pointed to Nebraska voters’ rejection of ballot measures seeking to legalize online sports betting. He criticized arguments connecting legalized gambling with property tax relief.
“We were not going to get property tax relief. That was a lie. Nebraska saw right through it, and that’s why those ballot issues went down,” Ricketts said. He also criticized the involvement of out-of-state gambling companies and claimed they outspent opponents of the measures by a 20-to-1 margin. That spending figure has not been independently verified.
Fischer says Nebraska’s Republican congressional delegation will continue working together on issues important to the state. “We’re going to continue to work hard for this state, for this country, and we’re going to push for the values that we in Nebraska hold dear,” Fischer said.
The Republican leaders’ comments come as lawmakers prepare for the next session of Congress, with Flood emphasizing the need to complete unfinished legislative business before the new Congress takes office in January.