FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2026
March 26, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
AFGE Endorses Member Chris Backemeyer for Election to Congress Representing Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District
Categories:
Congress, Election 2026, House
Largest federal employee union says Backemeyer understands and supports federal workers and our workplace rights
EAGAN, Minn. –– The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of Chris Backemeyer for election to Congress representing Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District. The statewide primary is May 12, and the general election is Nov. 3.
Backemeyer, a Lincoln native and former career public servant, spent more than a decade in senior national security roles at the U.S. State Department and the White House. He also is a dues-paying member of AFGE Local 1534, representing employees at the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development, giving him a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing federal workers and the importance of protecting their rights.
“Chris Backemeyer is the perfect candidate to represent Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District,” AFGE District 8 National Vice President Ruark Hotopp said. “As a Lincoln resident and federal employee, it means a lot to see someone like Chris step up to run. We need elected officials who actually understand and support federal employees and our workplace rights. Chris has served under both Republican and Democratic administrations and knows how to get things done for working people. He’s already taken an oath to the Constitution in his public service, and he’ll take that oath again in Congress. He’s not going to be bought by billionaires or take marching orders from any president. He’ll bring an independent mind and work for the people of the First District, not billionaire interests.”
AFGE is endorsing Backemeyer because he is an AFGE member who understands federal employees and will stand up for their rights. As a 21-year career civil servant, Backemeyer saw firsthand the impact of efforts to undermine the federal workforce. Once elected to Congress, he has committed to protecting a professional, nonpartisan civil service and ensuring agencies have the resources they need to serve the American people.
About 17,500 federal employees live in Nebraska – caring for veterans, supporting the military, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 820,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE District 8 represents more than 19,000 workers in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
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