Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk and Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln won their party nominations for eastern Nebraska's 1st District House seat Tuesday, setting the stage for a pair of upcoming battles between the two state senators.
They already are scheduled to meet in a special election June 28 to serve the final six months of former Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's term in office and now will battle again in November after winning Tuesday's nominations to serve the following two-year term.
Pansing Brooks, a Democrat, and Flood, a Republican, were earlier chosen by their party governing bodies as nominees for the special election that will temporarily fill the House seat vacated by the resignation of Fortenberry following his conviction on charges of lying to the FBI about illegal foreign campaign contributions to his 2016 reelection campaign.
Flood, who returned to the Legislature in 2021 after previously holding office as a state senator for two terms from 2005 to 2013 and serving as Speaker of the Legislature for six years, is in the midst of a four-year legislative term.
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If he is elected to the House in the special election, his legislative seat would be filled by a new state senator appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts.
Patty Pansing Brooks (left), the Democratic nominee for the 1st Congressional District, talks with Katie Taddeucci of Lincoln during an election night party Tuesday at the Happy Raven in Lincoln.
Pansing Brooks will complete her second four-year term at the end of the year and a new state senator representing Lincoln's District 28 will be elected in November to serve a four-year term.
If she is elected to Congress in June, the governor presumably could appoint a successor to serve the remaining six months of her legislative term.
Flood is an attorney and founder of News Channel Nebraska, a statewide media network that he formed after originally owning and operating radio stations in eastern Nebraska.
Mike Flood speaks to supporters while his wife, Mandi, looks on during an election night party Tuesday at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln. Flood won the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District.
Pansing Brooks is also an attorney and has focused her legislative efforts on justice and human rights issues.
Because of election preparation deadlines, Fortenberry's name remained on Tuesday's ballot.
In metropolitan Omaha's competitive 2nd District, Sen. Tony Vargas won the Democratic nomination to challenge three-term Republican Rep. Don Bacon in the general election. Vargas represents South Omaha's largely Latino District 7 in the Legislature.
Photos and Videos: Nebraska's 2022 primary election
Watch now: Republican nominee Jim Pillen addresses supporters
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Nebraska Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen mingles among a crowd of supporters during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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Republican gubernatorial nominee Jim Pillen talks with supporters at his election night party on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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Nebraska Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen (right) speaks the Nebraska Farm Bureau's Mark McHargue during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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Mark McHargue of the Nebraska Farm Bureau speaks during an election night party for Jim Pillen at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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Joe Kelly, Jim Pillen's pick for lieutenant governor, gives an update on the race during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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A crowd of supporters cheer as Republican Jim Pillen takes the lead in the gubernatorial race during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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Gov. Pete Ricketts talks about gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen at an election night party on Tuesday at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln.
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Gov. Pete Ricketts talks about gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen at an election night party on Tuesday at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln.
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Jim Pillen speaks to supporters after winning the Republican gubernatorial nomination on Tuesday.
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University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen accepts the nomination for the Republican gubernatorial primary during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen accepts the nomination for the Republican gubernatorial primary during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen smiles to applause as he is named the winner of the Nebraska Republican gubernatorial primary during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen (center) gives a thumbs-up to supporters after winning the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
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Mike Flood (center) raises his fist to applause after claiming the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District during an election night party at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln on Tuesday. His wife Mandi and son Brenden accompanied him on stage.
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Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts introduces state Sen. Mike Flood during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln. Flood won the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District.
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A supporter of Mike Flood wears a pin for him and for gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday.
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Mike Flood speaks to his supporters after claiming the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District during an election night party at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln on Tuesday.
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A supporter of Mike Flood wears a pin for him and sticker for voting during an election night party Tuesday.
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Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts introduces state Sen. Mike Flood during an election night party at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday in Lincoln. Flood won the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District.
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Mike Flood speaks to supporters while his wife, Mandi, looks on during an election night party Tuesday at the Embassy Suites in Lincoln. Flood won the Republican nomination for the 1st Congressional District.
Watch now: Patty Pansing Brooks addresses supporters
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Patty Pansing Brooks (left), the Democratic nominee for the 1st Congressional District, talks with Katie Taddeucci of Lincoln during an election night party Tuesday at the Happy Raven in Lincoln.
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Supporters of Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster wait for election results Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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A truck supporting the Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster is seen outside his election night watch party Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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Supporters of Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster wait for election results on Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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Supporters of Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster wait for election results on Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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Lt. Gov. Mike Foley waits for election results at the watch party of Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster on Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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Supporters of Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster wait for his speech Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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Supporters of Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster wait for election results Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster gives a concession speech on Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster greets a supporter after his concession speech on Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster gives a concession speech on Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster gives a concession speech, on Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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LINCOLN, NEB. - 05/10/2022 - Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster gives a concession speech, Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at Lincoln Station. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster greets a supporter after his concession speech on Tuesday at Lincoln Station.
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A voter makes their way into their precinct's polling location at American Lutheran Church on Tuesday in Lincoln.
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A woman casts her vote on May 10 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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A man casts his ballot on May 10 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Terri Rotolo Hatch (right) helps a voter find their voting location at the Union at the University of Nebraska on May 10 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Tim Brox fills out his voting ballot at the Redeemer Lutheran Church offices on May 10 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Dave Hohbein places his vote at Lincoln North Star High School on May 10 in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LJSdon
Don Walton
Political reporter/columnist
Don Walton covers politics and the Legislature along with writing a weekly column.
Shelly Kulhanek
Assistant city editor
Shelly Kulhanek, who has been at the Journal Star since 1998, thinks newspapers can help make the world smarter.
