U.S. House, Nebraska 3rd Congressional District · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District?
Adrian Smith has the strongest record in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District. Adrian Smith scores 73 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Mark Cohen at 63, as of October 6, 2026. Adrian Smith's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Mark Cohen's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Macey Budke (4 of 15 criteria), Dave Else (4 of 15 criteria) and Becky Stille (5 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Nebraska Working People
Macey Budke
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 69
- Performance
- NR
Independent (By Petition)
Mark Cohen
63 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 70
- Performance
- 50
Legal Marijuana NOW
Dave Else
On the ballot as David J. Else
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Adrian Smith
73 / 100
Public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 42
- Qualifications
- 85
- Performance
- 81
Democratic
Becky Stille
On the ballot as Becky Kelly Stille
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 63
- Performance
- NR
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Macey Budke
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Mark Cohen
- On the record2026-08
Qualified for the ballot by petition with at least 2,207 valid signatures, confirmed by the Secretary of State on Aug. 12, 2026.
- On the record2026-08
Challenged Smith and Stille to a debate in a late-August 2026 letter.
Dave Else
- On the record2022 to 2026
Was the Democratic nominee for this seat in 2022, a candidate in 2024, and now runs as the Legal Marijuana NOW nominee; says he was a lifelong Republican before Trump.
Adrian Smith
- Mark against2023-05-23
Filed a periodic transaction report on May 23, 2023 disclosing his spouse's purchases of CarterBaldwin stock dated Jan. 19 and June 18, 2022, past the STOCK Act's 45-day deadline.
- On the record2020-12 to 2021-01
Signed the December 2020 Texas v. Pennsylvania House amicus brief and voted Yea on the objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electoral votes on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021.
Sources: Texas v. Pennsylvania, amicus brief of 126 representatives, House Clerk, Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021 (Arizona objection), House Clerk, Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021 (Pennsylvania objection)
- Credit2026
Authored the bipartisan year-round E15 ethanol bill that passed the House; his independent opponent Mark Cohen credited the bill.
- Credit2025 to 2026
Chairs the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee.
Source: GovTrack, Adrian Smith
- Credit2023 to 2024
Rated exceeds expectations by the Center for Effective Lawmaking for the 118th Congress, with a score of 3.67 against a 1.49 benchmark.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking, House data file, GovTrack, Adrian Smith
Becky Stille
- On the record2026
Running for federal office for the first time; a lifelong Nebraskan from South Sioux City.
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, and a House candidate financial disclosure was filed May 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, House Clerk, candidate financial disclosure, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00930859
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. 2025 annual disclosure filed June 12, 2026. A May 2023 report disclosed two 2022 spouse stock purchases past the 45-day deadline (see Record); no outlet reported it, so E16 does not lower the score.
Sources: House Clerk, 2025 annual disclosure, House Clerk, periodic transaction report 20023004, House Ethics Committee search
Becky Stille. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, and a House candidate financial disclosure was filed May 15, 2026. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, House Clerk, candidate financial disclosure, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00903401
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. No public record found.
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. No public record found.
Becky Stille. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. No public record found.
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. No public record found.
Becky Stille. No public record found.
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. No public record found.
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. Gering City Council member, two-term state senator and U.S. representative since 2007 with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026, House Ethics Committee search
Becky Stille. No public record found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. Retired Air Force judge advocate and former special assistant U.S. attorney for Nebraska. No official finding of misuse found.
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. Voted Yea on the objections to Arizona's and Pennsylvania's certified electoral votes on Jan. 6 and 7, 2021, and signed the December 2020 Texas v. Pennsylvania House amicus brief (E2).
Sources: House Clerk, Roll Call 10, Jan. 6, 2021 (Arizona objection), House Clerk, Roll Call 11, Jan. 7, 2021 (Pennsylvania objection), Texas v. Pennsylvania, amicus brief of 126 representatives
Becky Stille. No public record found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Macey Budke. Mental health professional with a graduate degree in organizational psychology and health care administration. Has not held public office.
Mark Cohen. Former Air Force judge advocate and special assistant U.S. attorney for Nebraska; teaches karate in Ogallala.
Sources: Nebraska Examiner via Yahoo News, Aug. 12, 2026, Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026
Dave Else. Lifelong farmer in Overton; was the Democratic nominee for this seat in 2022. Has not held public office.
Adrian Smith. U.S. representative since 2007, now seeking an 11th term; earlier two terms in the Nebraska Legislature and the Gering City Council.
Becky Stille. No public record found.
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Macey Budke. Proposes shifting rural hospital funding from volume-based payment to an access readiness system tied in part to measured outcomes, and paying EMS as part of the health system.
Mark Cohen. Published positions in the Ballotpedia survey and a Nebraska Public Media interview, in general terms.
Source: Ballotpedia, Mark Cohen
Dave Else. Published general positions on trade, health care and immigration in a Nebraska Public Media interview.
Adrian Smith. Chairs the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and serves on the Joint Committee on Taxation; authored the year-round E15 ethanol bill that passed the House.
Sources: GovTrack, Adrian Smith, Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026
Becky Stille. Published general positions on affordability, health care, E15 and immigration in a Nebraska Public Media interview.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Macey Budke. Completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey and gave a Nebraska Public Media candidate interview.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Macey Budke, Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026
Mark Cohen. Completed Ballotpedia's survey, gave a Nebraska Public Media interview and publicly challenged his opponents to debate.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Mark Cohen, Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026, North Platte Bulletin, Aug. 31, 2026
Dave Else. Explained his positions in a Nebraska Public Media candidate interview.
Adrian Smith. Holds telephone town halls, publishes a newsletter and gave a Nebraska Public Media candidate interview. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Representative Adrian Smith, About, Representative Adrian Smith, Office Locations, Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026
Becky Stille. Explained her positions in a Nebraska Public Media candidate interview. No Ballotpedia survey page found.
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Macey Budke. Has lived in the 3rd District since she was 3 months old; lists North Platte on the official candidate list.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026, Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list
Mark Cohen. Has lived in the Sandhills since 1983 and lists Lemoyne on the official candidate list. About 64 percent of itemized contributions ($13,779 of $21,670) came from Nebraska, per FEC by-state totals.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026, Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list, FEC contribution totals by state
Dave Else. Has lived and farmed in Overton, Dawson County, his entire life.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026, Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list
Adrian Smith. Gering native from a six-generation Nebraska family; lists Gering on the official candidate list. About 54 percent of itemized contributions ($226,366 of $418,616) came from Nebraska, per FEC by-state totals.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026, Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list, FEC contribution totals by state
Becky Stille. Has lived in Nebraska her entire life; lists South Sioux City on the official candidate list. About 71 percent of itemized contributions ($4,870 of $6,870) came from Nebraska, per FEC by-state totals.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Oct. 1, 2026, Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. Gathered about 3,680 petition signatures to qualify; campaign reports are on file with the FEC with no debts and no administrative fine found.
Sources: Nebraska Examiner via Yahoo News, Aug. 12, 2026, FEC candidate page
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026, with no debts. The only FEC administrative fine hit for his committee ID is a 2009 fine against another member's committee, which listed his committee as a donor.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00412890
Becky Stille. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC with $36,730.84 in debts and no administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00903401
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. No public record found.
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. Legislative Effectiveness Score of 3.67 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 1.49, exceeds expectations; sponsor of nine bills GovTrack counts as enacted.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking, House data file, GovTrack, Adrian Smith
Becky Stille. No public record found.
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. No public record found.
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. Missed 188 of 12,745 roll call votes (1.5 percent) from January 2007 to September 2026, per GovTrack.
Source: GovTrack, Adrian Smith
Becky Stille. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. No public record found.
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. Keeps district offices in Nebraska City, Grand Island and Scottsbluff. No published casework totals found.
Becky Stille. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. As a nonpartisan candidate publicly credited Republican Smith's year-round E15 bill.
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of 0.42869 for 2023 (118th Congress), ranked 64th in the House, in the top quarter.
Becky Stille. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Macey Budke. No public record found.
Mark Cohen. No public record found.
Dave Else. No public record found.
Adrian Smith. No public record found.
Becky Stille. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District?
Adrian Smith has the strongest record in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District. Adrian Smith scores 73 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Mark Cohen at 63, as of October 6, 2026. Adrian Smith's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Mark Cohen's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Macey Budke (4 of 15 criteria), Dave Else (4 of 15 criteria) and Becky Stille (5 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District in 2026?
Macey Budke (Nebraska Working People), Mark Cohen (Independent (By Petition)), Dave Else (Legal Marijuana NOW), Adrian Smith (Republican, incumbent), Becky Stille (Democratic). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Macey Budke a good candidate for Congress?
Macey Budke has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Mark Cohen a good candidate for Congress?
Mark Cohen scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 70 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Dave Else a good candidate for Congress?
Dave Else has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Adrian Smith a good candidate for Congress?
Adrian Smith scores 73 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria: character 42 of 100, qualifications 85 of 100, performance 81 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Becky Stille a good candidate for Congress?
Becky Stille has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Nebraska race scored, and the Nebraska 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.