Progressive challenger complicates Democrat path in House fight to unseat GOP incumbent Rep Mike Flood

Ahlman, a journalist for the progressive left-wing outlet The Intercept, entered the fray Thursday, two days after his opponents advanced in their respective primaries.

Ahlman criticized Backemeyer as a "creature of the establishment in D.C." and said he didn't see much of a difference between the Democrat and Flood.

"I think that they have just been a part of the system. They are the establishment, and I am not that. I'm actually from the working class," he said.

Cook posits it would take both an "anemic" Republican turnout and a strong Democrat one to turn the tables for Democrats in Nebraska's first district. The prospect is now made more complicated with Ahlman, as some of Nebraska's political leader point out to local press that the progressive candidate could split the vote.

Backemeyer's campaign told the Examiner, "After winning almost every county by a large margin in the primary, Chris is focused on defeating congressman Flood in order to stop Trump's tariffs, devastating healthcare cuts and illegal war that are hurting Nebraskans."

Meanwhile, Flood's team pointed to the independent challenge as a weakness in the Democratic Party, claiming Ahlman is "trying to sabotage the campaign of a Kamala Harris adviser because the Democratic Party is in shambles."

"While Backemeyer and Ahlman fight over which D.C. transplant finishes second, Congressman Flood will keep getting things done for Nebraskans," Flood spokesperson Daniel Bass told the Examiner.

Fox News Digital contacted the Ahlman, Backemeyer and Flood campaigns for additional comment.