Pluribus AI 2026 Election

2026 Midterms · U.S. House · Nebraska Safe

Nebraska — 3rd District

Portrait of Becky Lynn Stille

Democratic

Becky Lynn Stille

Portrait of Adrian Smith

Republican

Adrian Smith

Incumbent

In Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District, 10-term incumbent Republican Representative Adrian Smith faces Democratic nominee Becky Lynn Stille in the November 3, 2026 general election. Representing a vast, predominantly rural and agricultural district, the matchup hinges on agricultural trade, tax policy, border enforcement, rural healthcare access, and democratic governance. All major political rating outlets—including The Cook Political Report (Solid Republican), Inside Elections (Solid Republican), Sabato's Crystal Ball (Safe Republican), and DDHQ/The Hill (Safe Republican)—rate the seat as comfortably safe for the Republican incumbent.

01

Agriculture, Trade & Rural Economy

high salience

Smith leverages his committee chairmanships to expand international markets and biofuels, while Stille prioritizes protecting family farms and strengthening labor union protections.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports family farms and labor union rights

Stille focuses her economic and agricultural vision on saving family farms, helping Nebraska's agricultural producers, and lowering grocery costs for working families. She advocates for collaboration between labor unions and business, arguing unions guarantee fair wages, safe conditions, and proper representation.

  • Pledges to save family farms and support rural working families
  • Promotes collaboration between labor unions and business to build economic resilience
  • Focuses on lowering grocery bills and everyday household expenses

“When labor and business collaborate, our economy thrives.”

“Labor unions guarantee that hardworking Americans receive fair wages, safe and humane working conditions, and proper representation in business deliberations.”

Adrian Smith

Promotes agricultural trade and biofuels expansion

Smith leverages his leadership positions as Chair of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and founder/chair of the Agriculture Trade Caucus, Biofuels Caucus, and Modern Agriculture Caucus. He works to open foreign markets for Nebraska crops and livestock and advocates for year-round E15 ethanol sales.

  • Chairs the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and Agriculture Trade Caucus
  • Champions year-round E15 ethanol sales as Chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus
  • Founded the Modern Agriculture Caucus to protect agricultural technology and keep family farms competitive

“As chair of the Trade Subcommittee and the Agriculture Trade Caucus, Adrian fights to expand market access for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers.”

02

Taxes & Government Spending

high salience

Smith emphasizes permanent tax cuts and spending control through major federal reconciliation bills, whereas Stille focuses on targeted cost-of-living reductions for working families.

Becky Lynn Stille

Focuses on lowering family expenses

Stille focuses on reducing everyday costs for working families, such as grocery bills and healthcare expenses. She criticizes political rhetoric that distracts from core economic issues affecting middle-class Nebraskans.

  • Prioritizes lowering grocery bills and living expenses for working families
  • Advocates policies that help working-class Nebraskans build economic security

“Yep, I'm laser focused on winning issues: Lowering grocery bills & healthcare costs.”

Adrian Smith

Supports permanent conservative tax cuts

Smith co-authored the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1), which made individual tax cuts permanent, reduced taxes on Social Security benefits, and expanded small business expensing. He signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and opposes tax increases to solve federal budget deficits.

  • Helped write the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1)
  • Pushed to make tax cuts permanent, reduce taxes on Social Security benefits, and expand small business expensing
  • Signed the Americans for Tax Reform Taxpayer Protection Pledge

“Adrian partnered with President Trump and helped write the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act and the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill which prevented tax increases that would have cost Nebraska families $1,500 and farmers $5,000 annually.”

“I do not believe raising taxes is a solution to our budget crisis. We have a spending problem not a revenue problem.”

03

Healthcare

high salience

Stille seeks to expand rural health and mental healthcare access, while Smith advocates repealing Obamacare in favor of market competition and deregulation.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports expanding healthcare and mental healthcare access

Stille advocates for expanding healthcare and mental health services across rural Nebraska communities. She seeks to overcome barriers created by lack of insurance, restrictive coverage, long appointment wait times, and geographic isolation.

  • Advocates for improved healthcare access and expanded rural mental health care
  • Focuses on eliminating geographic and insurance barriers to specialized medical services

“I will advocate for improved health care for all Americans.”

“bring health care & mental health care to rural communities”

Adrian Smith

Opposes Obamacare and advocates market-based reforms

Smith serves on the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee and advocates repealing Obamacare in favor of market-based reforms that increase competition and reduce federal mandates. He supports protecting Medicare beneficiaries while lowering healthcare costs.

  • Serves on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health
  • Consistently voted to defund and repeal Obamacare in favor of free-market competition
  • Advocates reducing bureaucracy and mandates to lower healthcare costs

“I believe we must repeal Obamacare and pursue market-based reforms. Decreasing bureaucracy and mandates while increasing competition in the system will make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans.”

04

Border Security & Immigration

high salience

Smith advocates strict enforcement measures including border wall construction and mandatory detentions, while Stille pairs border security with maintaining a fair legal immigration process.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports secure borders and fair immigration

Stille emphasizes that border security is essential for national defense, upholding the rule of law, and safeguarding economic interests. She simultaneously advocates maintaining America's tradition as a beacon of hope through a well-regulated immigration system.

  • Supports border security to uphold the rule of law and protect national security
  • Advocates preserving the efficiency and fairness of legal immigration systems

“A secure border is not just a matter of national defense, it’s essential for upholding the rule of law, safeguarding our economic interests, and ensuring the well-being of our citizens.”

Adrian Smith

Supports border wall and strict enforcement legislation

Smith supports completing the southern border wall, increasing Border Patrol funding, removing non-citizens from census counts, and requiring voter citizenship verification (SAVE Act). He voted for strict criminal deportation laws (Laken Riley Act and DUI Deportation Act) and supported impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas.

  • Voted to complete the southern border wall and increase Border Patrol funding
  • Voted for the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) and the DUI Deportation Act (H.R. 875)
  • Voted for the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring proof of citizenship to register for federal elections and voted to impeach Secretary Mayorkas

“In Congress, Adrian voted to finish the wall, increase funding for the Border Patrol to stop illegal immigration and drugs, remove illegal immigrants from the census, and ensure only U.S. citizens can vote.”

05

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

medium salience

Stille strongly supports protecting women's private reproductive healthcare decisions, whereas Smith believes life begins at conception and consistently votes against federal abortion funding.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports federal reproductive freedom

Stille strongly supports a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions privately with her doctor without government interference. She pledges to fight to restore women's reproductive freedoms.

  • Supports a woman's right to make private healthcare choices with her doctor
  • Pledges to defend and restore women's reproductive rights

“I strongly support a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions privately with her own doctor.”

“restore women’s reproductive freedoms”

Adrian Smith

Opposes abortion and taxpayer funding

Smith believes life begins at conception and belongs to the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus. He has consistently voted against taxpayer-funded abortion and advocated defunding Planned Parenthood while promoting adoption.

  • Member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus
  • Voted to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood and prohibit taxpayer-funded abortion
  • Promotes adoption as an alternative to abortion

“Life begins at conception and ends at natural death.”

“As a member of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, Adrian has consistently stood against taxpayer-funded abortions and voted to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood”

06

Democracy & Governance

medium salience

Smith voted against 2020 electoral certification and supports strict federal voter registration proof requirements, while Stille focuses on removing shadow money and restoring political compromise.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports campaign finance reform and democratic integrity

Stille pledges to defend constitutional democracy against undisclosed dark money and online disinformation. She criticizes aggressive political rhetoric and politicians who seek to choose their voters.

  • Advocates eliminating shadow money from political campaigns and combating disinformation
  • Pledges to defend the U.S. Constitution and support cross-party compromise

“I will fight to secure our democracy. The presence of shadow money and rampant disinformation have resulted in politicians choosing voters instead of the other way around.”

“Nebraska is NOT one size fits all. For anyone of any party that thinks theirs is the only answer, without compromise, is irresponsible and selfish.”

Adrian Smith

Supports proof-of-citizenship voting laws and winner-take-all electoral votes

Smith voted for the SAVE Act to mandate documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. He voted against certifying 2020 presidential electors from Arizona and Pennsylvania and signed a 2024 letter calling on Nebraska state leaders to adopt a winner-take-all electoral vote allocation system.

  • Voted for the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections
  • Voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania
  • Signed a 2024 joint letter urging Governor Pillen to convert Nebraska's electoral vote allocation to a winner-take-all system

“In Congress, Adrian voted to finish the wall, increase funding for the Border Patrol to stop illegal immigration and drugs, remove illegal immigrants from the census, and ensure only U.S. citizens can vote.”

07

Gun Rights & Violence Prevention

medium salience

Smith opposes all new federal gun control measures with NRA endorsement, whereas Stille pairs support for Second Amendment rights with community violence prevention efforts.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports Second Amendment rights alongside gun violence prevention

Stille respects the Second Amendment and law-abiding citizens' right to bear arms. She emphasizes that gun rights must be balanced with responsible community violence prevention initiatives.

  • Upholds the Second Amendment right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms
  • Advocates for community violence prevention alongside gun ownership responsibilities

“In the spirit of upholding the foundation of our great nation, it is imperative that we recognize and respect the Second Amendment, ensuring every law-abiding citizen’s right to bear arms.”

Adrian Smith

Opposes gun control regulations

Smith opposes Democratic proposals to impose new gun control regulations, calling firearm ownership an integral part of rural Nebraska's heritage. He is a lifetime member of the NRA and holds their endorsement.

  • Lifetime member of the National Rifle Association (NRA)
  • Opposes federal legislative attempts to impose new gun control restrictions
  • Defends gun rights for hunting, sporting, collecting, and self-defense

“Adrian supports the Second Amendment and opposes Democrat attempts to impose new gun control measures on the American people.”

08

Public Education

low salience

Stille focuses on federal and state investment in public schools, whereas Smith supports private education scholarship programs and restrictions on transgender female athletes.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports strong public education funding

Stille considers public education a vital pillar of a cohesive society that grants equal opportunity regardless of socioeconomic background. She advocates strong support for public schools to prepare students for the future.

  • Defends public education as essential for equal opportunity across all socioeconomic backgrounds
  • Supports robust funding and resources for local public schools

“Public education is a core feature of a prosperous and cohesive society.”

Adrian Smith

Supports school choice and restrictions on transgender athletes

Smith supported Nebraska Referendum 435 in favor of private education scholarship programs. In Congress, he voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (H.R. 28) to prohibit male-born athletes from participating in female athletic programs.

  • Endorsed support for Nebraska Referendum 435 (Private Education Scholarship Program Referendum)
  • Voted for H.R. 28 (Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025)
09

Senior Citizens & Social Security

low salience

Stille prioritizes preserving entitlement benefits and expanding senior medical care, while Smith highlights reducing taxes on Social Security benefits.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports protecting Social Security and Medicare

Stille promises to preserve Social Security and Medicare while expanding specialized medical service access for seniors to protect them from excessive healthcare costs.

  • Pledges to preserve Social Security and Medicare programs
  • Advocates expanding specialized healthcare access to lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors

“The well-being of our senior population is not just a matter of preserving Social Security and Medicare but should include expanded access to medical services tailored for senior needs”

Adrian Smith

Supports tax cuts on Social Security benefits

Smith previously served on the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee and co-wrote tax legislation in 2025 that reduced federal taxes on Social Security benefits while protecting Medicare patients.

  • Helped pass tax reductions on Social Security benefits in the 2025 tax reconciliation bill
  • Served on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security

“The latest bill makes the 2017 tax cuts permanent, reduces taxes on Social Security benefits, expands small business expensing”

10

Public Safety & Law Enforcement

low salience

Stille focuses on providing local police with resources and training, whereas Smith emphasizes federal legislative mandates expanding mandatory detentions and deportations.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports equipping law enforcement officers

Stille commends law enforcement officers for their daily dedication and sacrifices. She advocates equipping officers with necessary support, training, and resources to safeguard communities.

  • Honors the sacrifices and service of law enforcement officers
  • Advocates providing police with proper support, training, and resources

“Across our nation, law enforcement officers rise daily, committed to safeguarding our neighborhoods, schools and businesses.”

Adrian Smith

Supports strict criminal penalties and deportation mandates

Smith voted for federal law enforcement measures expanding criminal grounds for deportation (including DUI offences under H.R. 875) and mandatory detention for theft and burglary (Laken Riley Act).

  • Voted for the Laken Riley Act to detain non-citizens arrested for burglary, theft, or shoplifting
  • Voted for H.R. 875 making driving under the influence grounds for deportation
11

Foreign Policy, Defense & Veterans

low salience

Stille highlights international foreign aid as beneficial to local workers, while Smith champions an America First agenda focused on military deterrence.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports foreign aid, military veterans, and democratic alliances

Stille highlights how foreign aid benefits local Nebraska workers in the 3rd District. She honors military service members and veterans, advocating for resources to address their physical and mental sacrifices.

  • Highlights that foreign aid supports local job opportunities in Nebraska's 3rd District
  • Pledges to honor veterans and support specialized training and resources for military personnel

“For generations, brave men and women have answered the call to defend our democracy against threats, both foreign and domestic.”

“Foreign Aid Supports Workers in Nebraska's 3rd District.”

Adrian Smith

Supports America First foreign policy and military funding

Smith aligns with President Trump's America First agenda to restore peace through military strength, deter foreign adversaries, and protect allies. He consistently votes for military defense authorization and veterans funding extensions.

  • Supports an America First foreign policy promoting peace through strength
  • Voted for the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670) and Continuing Appropriations for Veterans Affairs (H.R. 5371)

“Adrian is working with President Trump in his second term to defeat the woke agenda and restore peace through strength—protecting our allies, deterring our enemies, and putting America back on top.”

12

Animal Rights

low salience

Stille advocates for legislation protecting animals and endangered species, whereas Smith has no documented position on animal rights in the provided sources.

Becky Lynn Stille

Supports animal protection legislation

Stille supports legislation to protect animals from illegal trafficking and poaching. She emphasizes that protecting endangered species preserves ecological balance and natural heritage.

  • Advocates robust animal protection laws to prevent poaching and trafficking
  • Supports protecting endangered species to maintain ecological balance

“We love our dogs! Supporting legislation that protects animals is critical.”

Adrian Smith No documented position in our sources