LINCOLN— Nonpartisan Nebraska congressional candidate Austin Ahlman announced he is ending his campaign for the 1st Congressional District after learning that his father’s cancer has returned. Ahlman said his family is now facing a much shorter timeline than expected and that he could not give both his campaign and his family the full attention they deserve.

Ahlman had recently said he had collected enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. His withdrawal leaves the race between incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Flood, Democratic nominee Chris Backemeyer, and Libertarian Nik Sandman. Leaders from both parties offered supportive statements, with Democratic Chair Jane Kleeb thanking Ahlman for participating in Nebraska politics and Flood praising him for putting family first. The 1st District is considered a safe Republican seat, and the general election is set for Nov. 3.

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