FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2026CONTACT: Campaign@BackNebraska.com
AFGE Represents 750,000 Public Servants Across the Country, Including More Than 17,000 in Nebraska
Lincoln, NE — Today, Democratic candidate for Nebraska’s First Congressional District Chris Backemeyer received the endorsement of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal employee union in the country. About 17,500 federal employees live in Nebraska – caring for veterans, supporting the military, and getting Social Security recipients their benefits accurately and on time.
“As a proud member of AFGE, this endorsement means a great deal to me because it comes from public servants who work every day to improve Americans’ lives and keep our country running at every level,” said Chris Backemeyer. “In Congress, I will always stand with workers and fight to protect their rights, fair pay, and dignity. I’m deeply grateful to AFGE members for placing their trust in me.”
“Chris Backemeyer is the perfect candidate to represent Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District,” AFGE District 8 National Vice President Ruark Hotopp said. “As a Lincoln resident and former federal employee, it means a lot to see someone like Chris step up to run. We need elected officials who actually understand and support federal employees and our workplace rights. Chris has served under both Republican and Democratic administrations and knows how to get things done for working people. He’s already taken an oath to the Constitution in his public service, and he’ll take that oath again in Congress. He’s not going to be bought by billionaires or take marching orders from any president. He’ll bring an independent mind and work for the people of the First District, not billionaire interests.”
For over 20 years, Chris served at the highest levels of national security and economic policy in the U.S. Department of State and the White House National Security Council. A career civil servant, Chris saw firsthand the impact of efforts to undermine the federal workforce, including when the Trump Administration stripped the collective bargaining rights from hundreds of thousands of workers last year. Chris is committed to restoring those rights and defending the rights of all public servants in Nebraska and across the country.
