Nebraska’s first lady, in break from Ricketts, endorses Pansing Brooks for Congress

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Democratic candidate in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District announced an endorsement on Thursday from the wife of the state’s Republican governor.

First lady Susanne Shore is supporting State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, who is running against State Sen. Mike Flood in this month’s special election and the general election in November.

Gov. Pete Ricketts endorsed Flood in February.

On Twitter, Pansing Brooks said she was grateful to be “generously supported” by the first lady.

Federal Election Commission records show that Shore donated $1,200 to Pansing Brooks’ campaign in January.

Ricketts, a major Republican donor, has given $11,600 to Flood’s campaign.

🚨 MAJOR CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

Lucky me! I happy and grateful to say I am endorsed and generously supported by my friend, Nebraska First Lady Susanne Shore! 💕 pic.twitter.com/aqzZUXFNaz

— 🌈 Patty Pansing Brooks (Vote June 28th, NE-01) (@Patty4Nebraska) June 16, 2022

The governor and the first lady, a Democrat, have often found themselves on opposite sides of political races.

Shore donated $5,600 to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign and $5,200 to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 run.

Ricketts backed former President Donald Trump in both elections, giving $5,600 to Trump’s 2020 campaign.

But in Nebraska elections, the first lady has typically supported Republicans.

In the 2020 cycle, she donated $3,000 to Sen. Ben Sasse and $5,600 to Rep. Don Bacon.