Christopher Backemeyer

Christopher Backemeyer is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska's 1st Congressional District. A Lincoln native, he says he spent more than two decades in national-security and economic-policy roles at the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and the Office of the Vice President. He describes his campaign as focused on lowering costs, ending corruption, and congressional oversight of the Trump administration.[1][2][3]

Backemeyer was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, graduated from Lincoln East High School, and describes himself as a fifth-generation Nebraskan.[1][2] He earned two bachelor's degrees, in finance and political science, from Arizona State University and a master's degree in international affairs from the University of California, San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy.[1][5]

According to Nebraska Public Media, Backemeyer had a short career in finance before spending 20 years with the U.S. Department of State and the National Security Council and serving as a national security advisor to former Vice President Kamala Harris.[5] He says he entered public service after the September 11 attacks and held senior roles at the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and the Office of the Vice President.[1][2]

His campaign website cites 21 years of national security experience and says the district is home to Offutt Air Force Base and U.S. Strategic Command.[3] Backemeyer won the May 12, 2026 Democratic primary over Eric Moyer, 57.6% to 42.4%.[4]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.