LINCOLN — A former U.S. Border Patrol agent has decided to run for Congress in Nebraska’s largely rural, sprawling 3rd Congressional District. 

North Platte native David Huebner will try to do what other Republicans in the district haven’t and beat U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb, in a Republican primary. Huebner said he is running to bring some “energy back” to the seat.

“I like active and present representation,” Huebner said, “I don’t feel like we have that right now from the incumbent.” 

Huebner said Smith lacks a background in agriculture, and the district wants someone with that background who can advocate for rural issues. He said the issues potential voters have brought up so far are the need for increased border security and improving the agricultural economy.

Huebner acknowledges he’s an underdog but said he wants to give voters a choice.

“I’m getting out, meeting people … finding out what’s important to them,” Huebner said. “Life is very different in western rural Nebraska than it is in D.C. It’s very easy to get out of touch up there.”  

Smith, from Gering, has represented the district since 2007. Before Congress, Smith served in the Legislature from 1999 to 2007. He is on the House Ways and Means Committee, which is Congress’s chief tax-writing committee. 

The 3rd District includes central and western Nebraska and much of the state’s northeastern and southeastern edges. It’s one of the nation’s most conservative congressional districts by political party registration advantage and voting record. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district by 197,650 voters, according to data maintained by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office. 

Smith having a GOP primary opponent is nothing new. He has had at least one primary opponent in every election since 2018 and has never gotten less than 65% of the GOP primary vote. In 2018, he faced three Republican opponents, including current State Board of Education member Kirk Penner. Smith faced four GOP challengers in 2020.

Huebner said he differs from previous Smith opponents because he is an active agricultural producer growing hay and raising Black Angus cattle. 

A Smith campaign spokesperson said the congressman is a “proven and trusted conservative fighting for Nebraskans alongside President [Donald] Trump,” focusing on issues such as border security and making the Trump tax cuts permanent.

“Adrian has a conservative record that reflects the priorities of Nebraska’s Third District,” said Chris Peterson, speaking for Smith’s campaign

Democrat Becky Lynn Stille has also filed to run.