Nebraska Democrats push for federal investigation of Brinker Harding's late financial disclosure

Brinker Harding, the Republican nominee and an Omaha city councilman, was required to file an initial disclosure document in August of last year. A second disclosure was due May 15.

He has not filed either, according to the Clerk of the U.S. House's website.

Politico reporter Daniel Lippman first publicized Harding's tardiness with a social media post May 14. Harding's campaign told Lippman that the disclosure would be public shortly, and "we have nothing to hide."

The campaign has shared that message with The World-Herald and other news outlets since, but the disclosure is still not publicly available. 

A disclosure includes a candidate's assets, debts, income, investments and jobs. Democrat Denise Powell, Harding's opponent in the CD2 race, filed her 2025 disclosure on time and received a 90-day extension on her disclosure due in May. She must submit it by August. 

Nebraska Democrats characterized Harding's late filing as a "blatant disregard for legal and ethical obligations." 

Nebraska CD2 candidate Brinker Harding months late in filing financial disclosures

Precious McKesson, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said in a press release: “No one is above the rules — especially someone seeking to represent Congressional District 2 in Washington, D.C.”

On Wednesday, McKesson sent a letter to Jennifer A.H. Hodge, a deputy assistant attorney general, asking for an immediate investigation into Harding for violating the Ethics in Government Act.

The act is meant to "preserve and promote the integrity of public officials and institutions." McKesson said Harding's "apparent refusal" to file his disclosure undermines the law and deprives voters of important information about him as they decide for whom to vote. 

McKesson's letter asks Hodge to seek all appropriate penalties and corrective action, notably a monetary fine. 

Hodge has worked in the Department of Justice since 2009. Harding carries an endorsement from President Donald Trump. 

Brinker Harding, Denise Powell waste no time pivoting to general election in Nebraska CD2

Craig Holman, a lobbyist at the progressive advocacy group Public Citizen, previously told D.C.-based news outlet NOTUS that while Harding did not meet disclosure requirements, he may avoid penalties because he's a first-time federal candidate. 

“A new candidate like Brinker Harding is likely to receive the benefit of the doubt and not face significant penalties, unless he declines to correct the mistake after being warned or evidence is uncovered that the violation was deliberate and egregious” Holman said, noting that it is not common for authorities to launch criminal investigations into violations.

It's not unheard of for candidates to miss these deadlines — news outlets and advocates have raised alarm over candidates' lack of transparency in recent years. 

In 2018, eight states held primary elections on June 5, and 116 out of 304 candidates on the ballots didn't file personal financial disclosures, according to Open Secrets. 

Campaign Legal Center filed multiple complaints in 2024 because 47 Senate candidates failed to file their legally required personal financial disclosure reports in 2023. 

Harding and Powell are seeking to succeed Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican who is retiring at the end of his term.