Mark Cohen has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent U.S. House bid in Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District. (Courtesy of Mark Cohen)

LINCOLN — Lemoyne resident Mark Cohen has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent bid for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith in the 2026 midterms.

The state’s 3rd Congressional District includes central and western Nebraska and much of the state’s northeastern and southeastern edges. It’s one of the nation’s most conservative congressional districts by political party registration advantage and voting record.

Smith, who was first elected to Congress in 2006, already faces a Republican primary challenger, former U.S. Border Patrol agent David Huebner. Democrat Becky Stille is al

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