Prominent Nebraska Republicans have backed a primary challenger to Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, who is seeking reelection as he faces federal charges.
Republicans in the state expressed concern that the scandal surrounding Fortenberry could cost the party a once-safe seat. House Republicans would need to net just five seats in the 435-seat chamber to win back a majority they lost in 2018. Should Republicans lose control of Fortenberry’s seat, it would give Democrats an unexpected gain in their efforts to maintain control of the House.
Fortenberry, who has held the 1st Congressional District since 2005, was charged in October with lying to the FBI during its investigation into illegal campaign contributions from Gilbert Chagoury, a Nigerian billionaire. A federal judge denied Fortenberry’s request to dismiss the charges earlier this month. He is scheduled to face trial next month in Los Angeles.
He denied the allegations in October, calling himself “stunned” and saying he felt “so personally betrayed.”
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SCRUTINIZING MULTIPLE HOUSE MEMBERS
“I thought we were trying to help,” Fortenberry said in a video posted on social media. “And so now, we will have to fight.”
Fortenberry has not been convicted of a crime. But some Nebraska Republicans have argued that the charges and an ensuing federal trial will leave him vulnerable in the district, previously considered a safe seat.
Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts and former Gov. Dave Heineman announced last week that they will support Fortenberry’s primary challenger, state Sen. Mike Flood. At a press conference, Ricketts cited “uncertainty” around whether Fortenberry “would be able to remain in the job with this indictment.”
Ricketts argued Flood has the best chance to “keep this seat in Republican hands.”
“Having the personal experience of working with Mike Flood … I know that he’s going to do a fantastic job for [the district],” Ricketts said. “We’re endorsing the conservative that we think will be able to win in November.”
In a Facebook post, Fortenberry wrote that Ricketts and Heineman’s decision to back Flood is “particularly disappointing because I have counted these people as friends and you hope you can rely on your friends to stand by you when you face adversity like a false and unjust accusation.”
“However, I’ve been very happy to receive endorsements for my re-election from business, community and political leaders across the First District,” Fortenberry said. “The voters will pass their own judgment on the character of the candidates in this race and I will spend this year talking with them about the accomplishments, leadership and conservative values that make me the best person to earn their vote and represent them in Congress.”
At a press conference announcing his candidacy, Flood said the charges against Fortenberry are part of why he is running.
“If our Republican nominee is waging a battle against prosecutors in a courtroom out of state instead of campaigning here in the 1st District, this seat is in jeopardy,” Flood said.
The eventual winner of the Republican primary will likely face Democratic state Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln in the general election. Lincoln is the most solidly Democratic part of Nebraska’s 1st District, which mostly includes rural areas.
Pansing Brooks appeared optimistic about her chances, telling the Associated Press, “May the best woman win.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
While the charges make their way through the court system, Fortenberry has had to step down from congressional committee work in accordance with House rules, including his seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
