Crystal Rhoades, a political consultant currently serving as the elected clerk of the Douglas County District Court, announced on Monday that she will join the race to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.
“Programs like Medicaid were the only reason I could get my college degree and take care of my son,” Rhoades wrote on her campaign website. “Today’s Washington insiders have forgotten what it’s like to rely on that support – they’re cutting vital programs just to give billionaires a tax break.”
Rhoades is the sixth Democrat to enter the race after five-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Bacon announced he would not seek reelection. With Bacon’s retirement, Democrats see the “purple” district as a key pickup opportunity in the 2026 midterms.
Prior to being elected as the clerk of court in 2023, Rhoades was elected to serve as the 2nd District representative on the Nebraska Public Service Commission. She also previously served on the Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors.
Other high-profile names in the primary race include John Cavanaugh, a state senator representing Omaha, and Denise Powell, who founded Women Who Run Nebraska. Kishla Askins, a veteran who served in former President Joe Biden’s Department of Veterans Affairs, announced her candidacy last week. Evangelos Argyrakis and Mark Johnston round out the field.
Two Republicans – former state senator and gubernatorial candidate Brett Lindstrom and Omaha City Council Vice President Brinker Harding – have also announced campaigns for the Republican primary.
Bacon is a unique political figure, and his departure presents a challenge for both parties. His self-styled moderate, “Reagan Republican” approach to an increasingly divided political climate has long been appealing to 2nd District voters, even as he votes in line with his party on controversial issues.
In 2024, the 2nd District was one of three congressional districts in the country that split the vote between a Democratic presidential candidate and a Republican congressional representative. In light of Bacon’s retirement, both the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball moved race ratings from toss-up to lean Democrat.
Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District encompasses all of Douglas and Saunders Counties, and part of Sarpy County.
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