Leuschen pledges to hold Trump accountable & cut costs for Nebraska families

OMAHA, NE – Today, Democrat James Leuschen, an economic policy expert and Omaha native, announced his campaign for Congress in Nebraska’s Second Congressional District. James is launching a campaign to hold Donald Trump accountable and fight to lower the rising costs that are squeezing Nebraska families.

“I’m running for Congress because I know firsthand what Nebraska families are up against,” said Leuschen, “Donald Trump’s tax and tariff policies are sowing chaos and making life more expensive for families here. As a dad to three kids and son to an aging parent, I see how the cost of groceries, child care, elderly care, and housing continue to go up under Trump’s policies, and relief is nowhere in sight.” 

“I grew up here in Omaha, and this community carried my family through our toughest days,” continued Leuschen. “Now, I’m stepping up to fight for our families, to lower costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, and make sure our kids have the same opportunities I had. I’m ready to take on Trump and have the experience to address the challenges facing Nebraska families.”

“I’m the only candidate in this race with the experience to hold Trump accountable and lower costs for working families — because I’ve done it before,” concluded Leuschen. “From expanding the Child Tax Credit to put more money in the pockets of families to delivering new resources for Nebraska veterans, I know how to get things done, even in a broken Washington. And when it comes to holding Donald Trump accountable for the chaos and economic pain he’s caused, I won’t back down because there’s too much at stake for my community.”

James is an economic policy expert who focuses on cost-of-living issues. He served for two decades in senior leadership roles on Capitol Hill, including as Policy Director to former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. He worked with Congressman Brad Ashford to deliver a new VA medical facility in Omaha that now serves tens of thousands of veterans each year. John Ashford will serve as the campaign treasurer. 

“After four decades representing union members, I know what it means to fight for working families — and so does James Leuschen. James is an Omaha kid who never forgot where he came from, and he spent his career making life better for people like us. He’s delivered real results, from expanding the Child Tax Credit to helping build a new VA medical facility for our veterans,” said Terry Moore, President Emeritus, Omaha Labor Federation. “James learned a lot from his father Jim, who meant so much to this community, and James is the only candidate with the experience and backbone to take on Donald Trump and lower costs for working people. We need someone in Congress who will always put Nebraska families first and deliver for them, and that’s why I’m proud to stand with James.”

“The VA medical facility in Omaha wouldn’t exist without James Leuschen. My Dad, Congressman Brad Ashford fought hard for the project, but partisan gridlock kept it stuck. That’s when he turned to James. James had the relationships, experience, and relentlessness to create a unique public-private partnership — and get this passed,” said John Ashford, Campaign Treasurer, attorney, and son of former Congressman Brad Ashford. “James got the job done and delivered for our community in a broken Washington. That’s the kind of determination Nebraska families can count on.”

ABOUT JAMES LEUSCHEN

An Omaha kid through and through, James grew up in Dundee, earned his Eagle Scout at Dundee Presbyterian Church, and attended Central High School, where he played Center on the football team. James was raised by two proud Nebraskans — his father, Jim, who was a leader in the Omaha community, and his mother, Pat, who served as a professor and assistant dean at UNMC. He continued his love for football and sports by coaching the Central Eagles all four years he attended Creighton University. James and his wife Janelle, a family medicine physician, live in midtown Omaha where they are raising their three young boys and are members of St. Margaret Mary Parish.  

For the past 20 years, James served in senior staff leadership roles in the U.S. House of Representatives, including as Policy Director to former Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. An economic policy expert, James worked on some of the most important issues facing families — from the passage and expansion of the Affordable Care Act to expanding the Child Tax Credit to put more money in the pockets of working families and cut child poverty in half. 

James worked with Congressman Brad Ashford to deliver a new VA medical facility in Omaha that now serves tens of thousands of Nebraska veterans. In a time when Washington struggles to get anything done, James has a proven record of delivering results.