Most Nebraska GOP officeholders, candidates skip midterm convention

LINCOLN —  Among Nebraska politicians, only U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith and GOP nominee for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District Brinker Harding are confirmed to attend the first-ever GOP midterm convention in Texas.

National Republicans and President Donald Trump aim to use the event to highlight achievements from the first two years of Trump’s second administration, as well as draw a contrast with what they call Democrats’ “extreme” positions — a strategy that Nebraska 2nd District voters have gotten a taste of. 

Smith, who represents Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District, plans to go, according to Chris Peterson, his campaign manager. Smith’s district includes central and western Nebraska and much of the state’s northeastern and southeastern edges. It’s considered one of the nation’s most conservative districts. He is facing four candidates trying to beat him in November. 

A campaign person told the Examiner that Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding plans to attend. 

Harding is looking to defend the swing district, which includes all of Douglas and Saunders Counties and a significant slice of western suburban and rural Sarpy County, against Democratic candidate Denise Powell for House Republican as Rep. Don Bacon is retiring. 

Bacon told the Examiner he will be in Ukraine. 

Trump and Vice President JD Vance are set to give keynote addresses at the two-day affair in Dallas, with several Republican candidates and leaders also scheduled to speak. No Nebraska candidates or elected officials are scheduled to speak.

More than 100 Republican House members and candidates are expected to be in Dallas, according to the AP. Politico reported that 70 GOP candidates and members planned not to go or were still deciding whether to attend the event, informally dubbed “Trumpapalooza.” 

The same Politico story said members were being asked to donate at least $25,000 to go. The event comes as Election Day is less than 60 days away. Midterm elections are typically an uphill battle for the party that controls the White House. Trump’s latest approval rating is at 32%, a new low. 

Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood won’t attend because of meetings and events, including his son’s high school football game, in the 1st Congressional District, according to a spokesperson. 

The 1st District comprises 12 counties and includes heavily Democratic Lincoln, as well as more conservative smaller cities and rural areas. Flood is running against Democratic challenger Chris Backemeyer and two other candidates.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen isn’t going to the convention, according to his spokesperson. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers also will not go, citing government business, according to a campaign spokesperson. 

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer won’t go as she had previously scheduled a trip related to her work on the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, according to her office. 

The campaign for Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts hasn’t responded to a request for comment on whether he plans to go to the convention. Ricketts is in a heated race against registered nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn. 

Democrats plan to have their own counterprogramming for the event. 

The general election is Nov. 3.