Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
38%
43.7%
9%
Democrat
Chris Backemeyer
Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Nebraska
$17.8K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Chris Backemeyer is trading at 12% to win the NE-01 House winner? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Department of State official
PartyDemocratic
LocationNebraska
BackgroundU.S. Department of State official
Notable personal detailsChristopher "Chris" Backemeyer is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District (2026). He previously served in senior national security and foreign policy roles at the U.S. Department of State, including as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, and also served on the White House National Security Council and in the Executive Office of the Vice President. In Nebraska’s May 12, 2026 Democratic primary for NE-01, he received 26,523 votes (57.6%) and advanced as the Democratic nominee.
SourcesShowHide
electionresults.nebraska.govfec.gov2017-2021.state.govbacknebraska.comdisclosures-clerk.house.govdocquery.fec.govnebraskaexaminer.comthegreenpapers.comcountyelectionresults.nebraska.govsos.nebraska.govnebraskademocrats.orgapps.npr.orgefoservices.fec.govkalshi.comapi.open.fec.govballotready.orgen.wikipedia.orglinkedin.comcongress.gov1011now.comtwstalker.commusic.amazon.itnebraskapublicmedia.orgcareers.arena.runwaysandmeans.house.govdccc.orgthirdway.orgsenatorchrisbalkema.comnaepcjournal.orgklkntv.combnncpa.comamericanrenewalbook.compam.intgovsummit.nebraska.govreddit.comafge.orglocalcandidates.orgthebulwark.compredictionedge.comfacebook.cominstagram.comx.comfinancialservices.house.govhouse.govgovinfo.govfinance.senate.govziplook.house.govpappas.house.govdemocrats-science.house.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgclerk.house.govhistory.house.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports policies that shift tax burdens toward wealthy individuals and corporations while expanding targeted tax benefits for families, and emphasizes reducing costs for middle-class families. Advocates expanding the Child Tax Credit, rebalancing the tax code so billionaires and corporations pay more, and rolling back tariffs that raise costs for producers and consumers. Also prioritizes reining in the national debt and opposes tax cuts for billionaires that worsen deficits.
Healthcare
The candidate emphasizes affordability and addressing rising health care prices and frames affordable health care as a personal priority based on his cancer experience. Public policy prescriptions (e.g., support for ACA expansion, a public option, or Medicare for All) are not clearly specified in available campaign reporting and social posts.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate critiques ICE operations and calls for congressional investigations and oversight of immigration enforcement while presenting a campaign platform focused on governance and public service rather than enforcement-first rhetoric. Public materials emphasize accountability for immigration enforcement actions but do not lay out advocacy for major restrictionist or large-scale deportation policies.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Chris Backemeyer is being mentioned as part of Tim Walz’s new Small Town PAC effort to recruit and support Democratic candidates in rural areas. The focus is on finding candidates with small-town backgrounds to help Democrats compete in rural districts. The available information is limited and does not include any other recent developments about Backemeyer.
electionresults.nebraska.gov+51
Latest Polls
NE-01 House winner?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Chris Backemeyer currently averages 38.0%, ranking second in this race, 5.7 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 38.0%Position: secondMargin: -5.7 ptsLatest poll: 33.0% (May 16 - 19)Polls included: 3
Average recalculated from polls through May 16 - 19.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$592.2K
$444.2K
$296.1K
$148.1K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$592.2K
$290.6K
$301.6K
$16.8K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements