Then there were six: Leuschen drops out of NE-02 U.S. House Dem primary

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Nebraska Examiner

By: Juan Salinas II - March 30, 2026 1:53 pm

OMAHA — Omaha native James Leuschen is dropping his bid for the Democratic nomination in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.

Leuschen, an economic policy staffer for several members of Congress over the past two decades, said he wants to focus on his kids and said running for office and being the father of three boys are “two callings” he can’t “fully honor at the same time.”

“I’m withdrawing from the race,” he said in a statement. “I do so with a heavy heart and with deep gratitude to everyone who believed in and supported this campaign. While this wasn’t an easy decision, we have an exceptional field of Democratic candidates … and I have no doubt the eventual nominee will be successful in November.”

Leuschen, who moved back to Omaha last summer, said he still plans to be engaged in Omaha, because the city and the state have “given [his] family so much.”


Omaha native James Leuschen had joined a crowded Democratic field for an open-seat race in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. (Courtesy of James Leuschen for Congress)

Read more: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/then-there-were-six-leuschen-drops-out-of-ne-02-u-s-house-dem-primary/

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The DU had raised $2,013 for James. This is news because it is the Omaha Blue Dot race.

[Gaytano70]

1. James seems like a nice guy, but I think it was always a 3-person race.

John Cavanaugh, Denise Powell, or Crystal Rhodes. I think John will win. He is my current state senator, and it will suck to lose him, but he may be the most electable in the general. He is also a really good politician and person.