Who's In the Race

Republican Adrian Smith, Democrat Becky Stille, and David Else (listed under the "Other" party label) won their parties' May 12 primaries in Nebraska's 3rd U.S. House District, and the general election is set for Nov. 3.

Smith, the incumbent, won the Republican primary on May 12, with about 65 percent of the vote. Stille ran unopposed in the Democratic primary that same day.

What They Stand For

Smith's platform centers on fiscal and social conservative priorities. He says he helped write the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill to prevent tax increases on Nebraska families and farmers. He supports farmers and ranchers, tax and regulatory cuts, increased domestic manufacturing, and expanded American energy production.

On social issues, Smith says he opposes taxpayer-funded abortions, supports legislation protecting the unborn, and promotes adoption as an alternative. He also says he supports the Second Amendment and opposes restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.

Stille is running on expanding access to health care. Her campaign site says she would advocate for improved health care access, citing lack of insurance, restrictive coverage, long appointment waits, and geographic barriers to specialized care. On social media, Stille said her campaign's polling indicated that Smith's weakness created an opportunity to make the race competitive.

The Money Behind the Race

Outside groups have spent $282,975 in Nebraska outside spending in this race, all of it in support of Republican candidates. The sole outside spender on record is Defend American Jobs, which accounts for the full $282,975. The committee totals below show overall spending and do not indicate direction on their own.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Every major handicapper rates this race solidly in the Republican column. Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections all rated the race "Solid Republican" as of late September 2026. Kalshi's prediction market put the Republican win probability at 99.8 percent as of Oct. 2.

Smith won the seat with 78 percent of the vote in 2022 and 80 percent in 2024. An index aggregation returned five races won by Republicans, but it did not confirm whether the count covers only 2024 or only statewide federal congressional races, and it returned no totals for any other party. Donald Trump carried Nebraska in the 2024 presidential race with about 59 percent of the statewide vote.

---

AllCiv makes it easy to stay politically informed and involved.

---

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article