Mark Cohen has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent U.S. House bid in Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District. (Courtesy of Mark Cohen)

Mark had to opportunity to answer questions on KNEB-TV while visiting with residents in Scottsbluff. Watch the full interview.

Mark Cohen, a former Air Force attorney and karate instructor, is running a nonpartisan bid in Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith in the 2026 midterms.

The state’s rural, sprawling 3rd Congressional 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 and voting history.

Mark Cohen of Lemoyne has officially announced his race for Nebraska’s Third Congressional District. He started off his campaign with stops across the third district on Wednesday,  including Hastings, Kearney, and Gothenburg.

Running as an independent, Cohen is the latest candidate to declare to run for the race. Outside of Smith, David Huebner is running in the Republican primary, while Becky Stille is running for the Democratic primary. Cohen is the only independent in the race.

Born in Colorado, Cohen went to the University of Colorado School of Law before joining the Air Force, where he served as judge advocate. He would later practice law in Omaha during the farm crisis, and would then taught advanced legal writing courses at the University of Arkansas School of Law while earning his Masters in Law in Agricultural and Food Law. During his Kearney visit, he mentioned that his office while teaching was the same office that former president Bill Clinton had when he taught at the school.

Mark Cohen, a former Air Force attorney and karate instructor, is running a nonpartisan bid in Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith in the 2026 midterms.

The state’s rural, sprawling 3rd Congressional 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 and voting history.

Mark Cohen Enters Bid For Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District Race

Mark Cohen announced Wednesday that he will run for the U.S. House in Nebraska’s third district as an independent. Cohen, a former Air Force Judge Advocate, lives in Lemoyne and teaches karate in Ogallala.

In a fast paced tour across Nebraska, Cohen spoke with groups in Hastings, Kearney, Gothenburg, and Gering.

Mark Cohen’s exploratory committee, formed in August, issued written Findings on Friday and concluded that an independent run for Congress in NE-03 is feasible.

Cohen is  a former Air Force Judge Advocate who lives in Lemoyne and teaches karate in Ogallala.

The Exploratory Committee’s Findings concluded, among other things, that most voters in NE-03 are less interested in the so-called “wedge” issues than they are in issues such as agriculture and rural healthcare. The Findings state Cohen rejected requests to consider running as a Democrat or a Republican. The committee noted that if Cohen ran, he would be the only veteran in the race and, if elected, the only person with an advanced degree in agricultural law to serve in Congress.

Mark Cohen, a former Air Force Judge Advocate, Lemoyne resident, and karate instructor in Ogallala, has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent campaign for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith.

Mark Cohen, a former Air Force Judge Advocate, Lemoyne resident, and karate instructor in Ogallala, has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent campaign for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith.

Mark Cohen, a resident of Lemoyne, has initiated an exploratory committee to assess the feasibility of an independent candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, targeting Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District in the upcoming 2026 midterms. This district, known for its conservative leaning, encompasses central and western Nebraska and parts of the northeastern and southeastern regions.

Currently represented by U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, who has served since 2006, the district faces a Republican primary challenge from former U.S. Border Patrol agent David Huebner, alongside Democratic contender Becky Stille. Cohen, a former Air Force Judge Advocate and karate instructor, expressed his discontent with the polarized two-party system, emphasizing his belief that voters are being forced to choose between extremist candidates.

Lemoyne resident Mark Cohen has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent bid for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith in the 2026 midterms.

The state’s 3rd Congressional 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.

Smith, who was first elected to Congress in 2006, already faces a Republican primary challenger, former U.S. Border Patrol agent David Huebner. Democrat Becky Stille is also running for the Democratic nomination.

emoyne resident Mark Cohen has launched an exploratory committee to consider a nonpartisan bid for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith in the 2026 midterms.

The state’s 3rd Congressional 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.  

Smith, who was first elected to Congress in 2006, already faces a Republican primary challenger, former U.S. Border Patrol agent David Huebner.  Democrat Becky Stille is also running for the Democratic nomination.  

Mark Cohen, a former Air Force Judge Advocate, Lemoyne resident, and karate instructor in Ogallala, has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent campaign for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith.

Cohen says his potential candidacy stems from deep frustration with the current political climate.

“I love my country, and I’m fed up with a two-party system that forces voters to choose between extremists,” Cohen said. “It rewards politicians for using simplistic labels that pit neighbor against neighbor.”

A former Democrat, Cohen left the party three years ago.

“I left for two reasons,” he explained. “First, I lived in a small town for many years, and I got tired of people in big cities trying to set policy for rural areas on issues like firearms. Second, some Democratic leaders have largely abandoned moderates because extremists and interest groups dominate the agenda and the funding.”

Mark Cohen, a former Air Force Judge Advocate, Lemoyne resident, and karate instructor in Ogallala, has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent campaign for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith.

Cohen says his potential candidacy stems from deep frustration with the current political climate.

Cohen believes voters in rural Nebraska are more independent and more thoughtful than national politicians and the media often assume. “Voters of Nebraska’s 3rd District know not all Democrats are socialists and not all Republicans are fascists,” Cohen said. “They yearn for a plain-speaking populist — a Harry Truman.”

Mark Cohen, a former Air Force Judge Advocate, Lemoyne resident, and karate instructor in Ogallala, has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent campaign for Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith.

Cohen says his potential candidacy stems from deep frustration with the current political climate.

Cohen believes voters in rural Nebraska are more independent and more thoughtful than national politicians and the media often assume. “Voters of Nebraska’s 3rd District know not all Democrats are socialists and not all Republicans are fascists,” Cohen said. “They yearn for a plain-speaking populist — a Harry Truman.”