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

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