Nebraska Democrats are calling for an investigation into Brinker Harding after the Republican nominee for the state’s 2nd Congressional District missed two deadlines for mandatory personal financial disclosures.
These disclosures, which are meant to show how candidates make their money and what level of assets they hold, are required by law.
In a letter to the Department of Justice obtained by Omaha TV station KETV, Precious McKesson, executive director of the state Democratic Party, asked Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Hodge to “immediately investigate” Harding in relation to two filing deadlines he did not meet.
Candidates for US House are required to file their first disclosure within 30 days of his filing for office, if their campaign raises more than $5,000. Harding filed for office on July 1, 2025. Per House Committee on Ethics rules, candidates can request an extension of up to 90 days. Harding, an Omaha City Council member, did not request an extension.
Annual financial disclosures are also due every year on May 15. Extension requests are also available for this deadline, but Harding did not file one.
“We all have rules to follow,” McKesson said in a statement. “This blatant disregard for legal and ethical obligations raises serious concerns about accountability, transparency, and respect for the office he seeks to hold. CD2 deserves better… No one is above the rules.”
Harding told KETV that he “immediately” began working to resolve the issue as soon as he found out, and “there is nothing intentional, deliberate, or egregious about this.”
“I have nothing to hide,” he told KETV.
If the issue is not resolved, and Harding is convicted of “knowingly and willingly” failing to file, he could face a penalty of up to $11,000.
As reported by Nebraska Public Media, all other House candidates in the state who advanced to the general election have filed their first and second disclosure reports or received an extension.
Harding’s opponent in November, Democratic nominee Denise Powell, was granted an extension for her initial disclosure filing, as well as a 90-day extension for the May 15 deadline. Her new due date is August 13.
The Omaha-based House district has been represented by Republican US Rep. Don Bacon since 2017. With Bacon retiring and bowing out of the race, Democrats are hoping to capitalize on the open seat opportunity and elect a candidate to represent the proverbial “Blue dot.”
