Chris Backemeyer, a 50-year-old Lincoln native who left his longtime post with the State Department when Trump began slashing the federal workforce earlier this year, launched his campaign to unseat GOP Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska on Thursday.
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PHOTOS: Boos, jeers and fury at fiery Mike Flood town hall
Mike Flood at a town hall he hosted on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
Thia Hartley of Lincoln shouts after an answer from 1st District Rep. Mike Flood at a town hall on Monday at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
1st District Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a town hall he hosted on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
A member of the crowd films as Diane Gonzolas asks a question on Monday during a town hall hosted by 1st District Rep. Mike Flood. It was Flood's third town hall since news of a directive in March from the Republican leadership leaked that advised members of Congress to avoid hosting in-person forums.
Mark Filip, right, reacts to an answer from 1st District Rep. Mike Flood during a town hall on Monday at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
First District Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a town hall he hosted on Monday at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
Mike Yung Hans, right, holds up three fingers as he participates in a town hall hosted by 1st District Rep. Mike Flood on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
A participant shouts at 1st District Rep. Mike Flood during a town hall on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
Robert Simons, right, reacts to 1st District Rep. Mike Flood speak at a town hall on Monday at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
First District Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a town hall he hosted on Monday at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln. Despite facing 90 minutes of mostly angry questions and reactions, Flood said the town halls are part of doing his job.
Town hall participants shout down an answer from 1st District Rep. Mike Flood during a town hall on Monday at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
First District Rep. Mike Flood speaks during a town hall he hosted on Monday at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
A town hall participant holds his head in his hands as he listens to 1st Rep. Mike Flood during a town hall on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
Kevin Haar holds up two puppets dressed as President Donald Trump and 1st District Rep. Mike Flood before a town hall hosted by Flood on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
Town hall participants try to stop a man who continues to yell "free Palestine" at a town hall hosted by 1st District Rep. Mike Flood on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
People listen to 1st District Rep. Mike Flood, top right, speak at a town hall on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
Jay Tschetter shows off images depicting President Donald Trump before a town hall hosted by 1st District Rep. Mike Flood on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
A town hall participant asks a question during a town hall hosted by 1st District Rep. Mike Flood on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
Joseth Moore, right, shouts down an answer by 1st District Rep. Mike Flood as he participates in a town hall on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
People queue in line around the front of the Lied Center before a town hall hosted by 1st District Rep. Mike Flood on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
Kelly Coday, left, and Steven Dawes, center, react to 1st District Rep. Mike Flood speak at a town hall on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
First District Rep. Mike Flood prays onstage during a town hall he hosted on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
A town hall participant reacts as he listens to 1st District Rep. Mike Flood during a town hall on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at Kimball Recital Hall in Lincoln.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7223 or awegley@journalstar.com. On Twitter @andrewwegley
Andrew Wegley
State government reporter
