Photo: 10/11 News / WOWT 6 News
(Lincoln, NE) -- Two Nebraska Governors throw their support behind Congressional candidate Mike Flood instead of sitting Congressman Jeff Fortenberry.
During a news conference in the state Capitol rotunda Friday morning, current governor Pete Ricketts and former governor Dave Heineman announced their endorsement for State Senator Flood.
“Mike Flood and I worked together to pass the two largest tax relief packages in the history of the state at that time,” Heineman said in a news release from the Flood campaign. “He authored the most sweeping pro-life legislation in America to protect the unborn and I signed it into law. Mike Flood is an outstanding leader and a skilled legislator. He is a fiscal conservative, a man of action, and a person of integrity. I am proud to support, endorse, and vote for Mike Flood for Congress.”
“Mike Flood is a strong conservative who will fight for Nebraska’s interests and push back against the Far Left in Washington,” Ricketts said. “We can’t take risks with the 1st District’s representation. Mike is the clear choice to help Republicans retake the House and fire Nancy Pelosi as speaker. Republicans need to come together to back the strongest candidate, and that’s Mike.”
Fortenberry, Nebraska's longest-serving congressman, represents the state's 1st Congressional District. Fortenberry is currently facing charges relating to a $30,000 campaign donation during the 2016 election cycle. He was indicted in October, accused of lying to the FBI about the donation, which came from a foreign national.
Fortenberry issued this a statement following Ricketts and Heineman's endorsements:
“Today’s announcement 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. The voters will pass their own judgement [sic] 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.” - Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb.