LINCOLN— Republican Rep. Mike Flood and Democratic challenger Chris Backemeyer faced off Wednesday in their only debate for Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, clashing over the Iran war, tariffs, taxes, trade and other issues. Backemeyer, a former State Department diplomat who worked on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, argued that the agreement could have prevented the current conflict and criticized Flood’s support for the war, pointing to its effects on fuel, fertilizer and grocery prices. Flood defended his votes, criticized the 2015 nuclear agreement and argued that the U.S. must remain firm toward Iran, while acknowledging the economic consequences of the conflict.

The candidates also differed sharply on trade and economic policy. Flood defended the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape U.S. trade relationships and his vote for its tax and spending legislation, emphasizing its tax cuts. Backemeyer called for ending the administration’s tariff policies, argued that Congress should control tariffs and criticized the tax law for disproportionately benefiting higher earners. The race also includes America First Party candidate Dan Hartong and Libertarian Nik Sandman, neither of whom participated in the debate. The four candidates are competing to represent the 12-county 1st District, which includes Lincoln, in the Nov. 3 general election.

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