No reading of tea leaves or consulting the crystals appears necessary to remind us that the 2026 election is in full swing … at mid-year of 2025. Candidates are announcing intentions, editorials are being written, and public polling is afoot, the first of which for me landed in my text messages last week.

With a growing number of Democratic and a pair of Republican hats in the ring, Nebraskans in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District will have a bountiful slate of hopefuls from which to choose as Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon’s successor. U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., will be challenged by registered nonpartisan Dan Osborn. Gov. Jim Pillen has announced his bid for reelection. Those willing to run in this political universe deserve some respect, too.

Some in the chattering class — this space included — have on occasion referred to these days, weeks and months as “silly season,” a snarky broadside not without basis. For details, check some of the frivolity that has accompanied recent campaigns when we set about practicing the bedrock principle of a democratic republic: representative government. Surely the next political contests will provide an intermittent inanity or perhaps some full-on foolishness.

But make no mistake. What’s at stake this time is anything but silly.

Serious Season

This “season” is as serious as one has been. That’s because the shibboleths are correct: Elections have consequences, and we get the government we choose. Even a cursory reading of the morning headlines or a map of the republic’s current misdirection underscores the point that the nation has arrived at a critical intersection.

Election “issues” include the usual suspects: taxes, inflation, immigration, education, foreign policy and jobs. Those and others such as climate change and international trade need to be parsed, debated and delineated among those vying to represent Nebraskans.

Given the rocky road on which we find ourselves, however, at this juncture in the nascent campaigns, only two issues have worked their way to the top of my mind. Whether they will get any “play” in the 24/7 phalanx of media that hops aboard these long, expensive journeys to a seat in Congress or the state’s corner office remains to be seen. Pro tip: Don’t hold your breath.

First is perhaps more of a group exercise. I’m wondering who, if any, among candidates — incumbents or hopefuls — share the concern that Congress has ceded its co-equal status as a full and functioning branch of government? Or are they comfortable with governing via executive order? See DOGE’s rampage and ransacking for evidence of such acquiescence.

Numbers Look Off

The numbers are in, too. According to GovTrack.us, Congress has enacted just 27 pieces of legislation since raising its aggregate right hand in early January. Despite the GOP having a majority in the House and Senate, that’s the fewest number of bills in the first six months since the 103rd Congress in 1993, when Democratic President Bill Clinton also enjoyed a political advantage in both houses.

Nor does passing the Big Ugly in early July make up for the meandering pace of problem solving. All of which adds to the incredulity of House Speaker Mike Johnson extending the August recess while he appears to need time to mitigate the House’s role in a scandalous tempest starting to howl. Less production apparently equals longer recesses.

Second, and of even more importance for a candidate to consider than undoing Congressional capitulation or unchallenged conformity, is whether he or she, as an elected official, would be willing to stand in the face of complete horse hockey and demand that when we do the people’s business, we do it with the facts, not conspiracy theories, internet rumors or simple, bald-faced lies.

Case in point: Did any of Nebraska’s quintet of representatives publicly question that the country’s director of national intelligence, at a regularly scheduled press conference in the White House briefing room, accused a former presidential candidate of abusing prescription drugs using information from Russian spies? That was also about the time, contrary to evidence, the president was trying to sell the snake oil that a former president should be indicted for treason.

Nebraska used to enjoy a reputation for producing independent political thinkers, a feather in our caps. As we navigate this election season, I’ll be listening for those kinds of voices as taxes, inflation, immigration, education, foreign policy, jobs and more dominate our electoral discussions.

Given the seriousness of this election, however, I’ll mostly be listening for voices who want to return Congress to its full power and who will speak and respect facts, evidence and the truth.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/28/a-primer-for-the-two-issue-voter/

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