James Leuschen returned to Omaha this year after working about 20 years in Congress with a focus on economic policy. He’s hoping give back to his community and stand up to President Donald Trump’s administration by being elected the representative for the 2nd Congressional District.
“I’m running because Donald Trump’s policies are hurting Nebraska families and Nebraska communities, driving up costs and making it harder for folks to succeed,” Leuschen, 45, said in an interview Wednesday.
Leuschen grew up in Omaha and graduated from Central High School and Creighton University. He said Omaha has always been home, and he and his wife decided earlier this year that the time was right to return with their three kids.
After earning his degrees, Leuschen went on to work on Capitol Hill, holding jobs like policy director for former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland.
Leuschen also worked with former Nebraska 2nd District Rep. Brad Ashford to deliver the Veteran Affairs medical facility in Omaha.
Ashford served in Congress until Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican, won the seat in 2016. Bacon is in his fifth term and is not seeking reelection.
From the field of six Democrats vying to replace Bacon, Leuschen said, “I absolutely think that I have the best experience to position myself to flip the seat from red to blue.”
He recalled being in the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump supporters overtook the building in attempt to block certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
“I know what the president is capable of, and I’m seeing it play out all over again,” Leuschen said.
He added that Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill benefits the wealthy and doesn’t reach the people who need it most. The bill will reduce the number of people on Medicaid, Leuschen said, putting rural hospitals at risk and potentially raising costs for all patients.
Along with immediate issues like combating tariffs that are expected to raise prices on consumer goods, Leuschen said residents of the district want a leader with a focus on long-term economic growth in Nebraska and the wider region.
He mentioned protecting funding for research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Offutt Air Force Base.
He also said he helped with legislation like the Chips and Sciences Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that put money into clean energy and incentivized private investments.
Nebraska did not draw major projects or benefit enough from those opportunities, Leuschen said: “We need a federal delegation that believes in those projects, that thinks that they should have happened and that isn’t going to repeal them. I am hyper-focused on that.”
Leuschen is one of six people seeking the Democratic nomination in the 2nd Congressional District.
The other candidates are former attorney Evangelos Argyrakis, veteran and former federal official Kishla Askins, State Sen. John Cavanaugh, political action committee founder Denise Powell and Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades.
Two Republicans, Omaha City Council member Brinker Harding and former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, have announced campaigns.
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