Austin Ahlman suspends campaign for Nebraska’s 1st district

LINCOLN —  Austin Ahlman, a journalist mounting a nonpartisan campaign for Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, announced Sunday he was ending his run for office because of concerns over his father’s health. 

Ahlman said in a statement that his father’s cancer had returned and that he and his family had “gone from speaking about the future in terms of decades to mere months.” 

“Family comes first—always,” Ahlman said. “This decision was not easy, but the people of Nebraska deserve candidates who fight for them with 100% of their energy. I cannot do that while also giving my family the love and care they need right now.”

He announced earlier this month that he had enough signatures to be on the ballot. 

Now, the race is back between incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Flood, who handily won the district the past two elections, and Democratic nominee Chris Backemeyer . Libertarian Nik Sandman is also running. 

Ahlman made a splash with his campaign launch in May. Ahlman said he was running because “somebody has to stand up and do something about what’s going on in this country.” Nebraska Democrats had accused Ahlman of being a spoiler by running to split the liberal vote in the race. 

But Sunday, Democratic Party chair Jane Kleeb took a conciliatory tone and thanked Ahlman for bringing his voice to Nebraska politics.

“We know you will run and win for a seat soon. We all hope your dad gets the care he needs to heal,” Kleeb said in a statement. 

Backemeyer said in a statement Sunday that he his keeping Austin’s father and family in his prayers on social media. Flood said he respects “Austin for engaging in the American system and running for office” and respects “him even more for putting his family first.” 

The 1st District comprises 12 counties, including Lancaster County, which is home to heavily Democratic Lincoln, a city whose blue voters are often overpowered by the region’s more conservative smaller cities and rural areas. 

Flood has won his past two U.S. House elections by 20 and 16 percentage points, respectively. Analysts consider the 1st District seat safely Republican, including the nonpartisan Center for Politics, The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections.

The general election is Nov 3.