Mike Flood wins special election for Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Nebraska state Sen. Mike Flood has won a special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, a fellow Republican who was sentenced to two years of probation earlier in the day for a conviction on charges that he lied to federal agents.

Flood narrowly beat Democratic state Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks in the state’s Republican-leaning 1st District, which includes Lincoln and dozens of smaller towns in eastern Nebraska. Every county with the exception of Lancaster favored Flood.

Flood gave his victory speech in his hometown of Norfolk. Watch the speech in the video player above.

“Tonight, this district sent a clear message to Washington: it’s time for a change in direction,” Flood said. “The 1st Congressional District has taken the first step toward restoring a Republican majority in the House, firing Nancy Pelosi, and getting America back on track.”

Flood, a former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, will serve the rest of what would have been Fortenberry’s ninth term.

Flood and Pansing Brooks will have a rematch in the general election in November for a full two-year term.

“Though we came up a bit short tonight, our numbers at the polls today prove that we’re right on track to our ultimate goal: a full term in November,” Pansing Brooks said. “Those results send a clear and powerful message that Nebraskans are ready to fight for change - and I’m ready to deliver.”

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