Debate in doubt as timing divides Flood, Backemeyer in Nebraska CD1 race

Both candidates had been negotiating possible dates for the debate in recent days, with Flood's campaign offering two dates in September, before early voting ballots get sent, and Backemeyer's team offering any date in October, closer to Election Day. 

The debate was being organized by Nebraska Public Media, The World-Herald and farmer-owned KRVN radio, to be held at NPM's television studio on East Campus. It would have been broadcast live statewide on NPM and carried and covered on NPM, KRVN and Omaha.com. 

As is typical for congressional debates, formal invitations were sent to both campaigns in early July, after some initial conversations with representatives of both campaigns. This week, Flood's team offered Sept. 21 and 23.

Backemeyer's team sought to negotiate later timing. Flood's team did what incumbents often do and said take it or leave it. The former diplomat and first-time candidate's campaign said he was not available either September day.

Flood's team argued the congressman was making himself available despite scheduled events and said Backemeyer could do the same by canceling his announced Sept. 23 campaign event with arts and humanities supporters.

Then Flood's team went public, issuing a press release on Thursday as the back-and-forth over scheduling continued, accusing Backemeyer of "refusing to debate." That spawned a reply from Backemeyer on social media site X saying Flood would rather "invent a story than admit the truth."

Backemeyer's team said it had offered Flood's any date in October. It said the Flood team had denied a debate invitation from the League of Women Voters and KOLN/KGIN that Backemeyer's team accepted. Flood's team focused its release on the NPM debate.

Flood's campaign statement said, "Nebraskans deserve an opportunity to hear from both candidates before voting begins. Chris Backemeyer told Nebraska media he wants to debate, but Back-Track Backemeyer turned down multiple dates." 

The Backemeyer campaign's tweeted statement said Flood was running from his record, saying he "doesn't want to stand on stage and defend a war with no strategy, a bill he admits he didn't read and tariffs crushing our farmers." 

A spokesperson for Nebraska Public Media on Friday said the three news outlets planning the debate "continue to talk with the candidates to identify a date that works for everyone." Nebraska's general election is Nov. 3.