Pansing Brooks announces run for Congress
Jeff Fortenberry has been elected to Congress nine straight times. Now he has a new challenger standing in the way of his hopes to get elected to a 10th consecutive term.
By News Channel Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Jeff Fortenberry has been elected to Congress nine straight times. Now he has a new challenger standing in the way of his hopes to get elected to a 10th consecutive term.
State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks officially announced her run for Nebraska's first congressional seat, saying in a tweet: "Change can only happen when we elect leaders who understand and listen to the problems our communities face."
Pansing Brooks, a Democrat, is currently serving her second term in the Nebraska Legislature, representing Lincoln's 28th District.
Fortenberry, a Republican, was first elected to Congress in 2004. He was re-elected in 2020, but now faces federal charges for reportedly lying to the FBI.
In an interview with News Channel Nebraska, Pansing Brooks said she shared her sympathy for Fortenberry and his family while calling the allegations against him "serious." She said his current legal situation had no bearing on her choice to run.
"I've been thinking about it a couple of years," Pansing Brooks said of a congressional run. "I decided I wanted to finish out my time in the Legislature. Then what happened is we have had re-districting, which changed the numbers a little bit. It feels like I can be more competitive in the race right now."
A spokesman for the Fortenberry campaign tells NCN that Fortenberry is ready to take on Pansing Brooks arguing the difference between the two is night and day. “Patty Pansing Brooks will faithfully advance Joe Biden’s agenda and have to explain a chaotic economy, overrun border, and dangerous foreign policy, says Chad Kolton.”
Among Pansing Brooks' legislative priorities have been human trafficking, Nebraska's worker shortage and LGBQ+ rights.
Pansing Brooks said she recognizes the inherent challenges posed to Democrats in congressional races outside of District 2.
“No question, it’s going to be a tough race, but I’m just going to do the best I can,” Pansing Brooks said in an interview. “I have an ability to make friends on all sides of the aisle.”