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Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Retired Navy veteran Kishla Askins joins Nebraska 2nd District U.S. House race
Retired Navy veteran Kishla Askins is running in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. (Courtesy of Matt Cashore for the Kishla Askins campaign) LINCOLN — The Democratic primary for the open U.S. House seat in Nebraska's Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District is getting crowded. Retired U.S. Navy veteran Kishla Askins, a former deputy assistant secretary of Veterans Affairs under President Joe Biden, is running to be the first Democrat to represent the district in nearly a decade. 'I am the only one ready on day one,' Askins told the Nebraska Examiner. 'I am the only one who can walk into Congress and understand how Congress works.' For 30 years, Askins said she and her wife have lived where the military told them to live. She grew up in Toledo, Ohio, but her wife, Alison, grew up in Omaha and Lincoln, and now they get to live 'back home.' They moved to Omaha after Askins' wife retired from the Marine Corps in the fall. Askins said she wants to run for the House seat because she wants to serve something greater than herself and fight for people who 'deserve strong, steady leadership' and continue her 35 years of service. Askins said her focus in Congress would be on improving health care, affordable housing, education and national security. She said people in the 2nd District are concerned about the recent GOP mega bill, the one President Donald Trump called the 'big beautiful bill' and its 'cuts' to the social safety net. She said she would 'translate' those concerns to national policy that make access to health care more 'fair and equitable.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In a launch video her campaign shared, Askins said, 'Nebraskans are yearning for leaders who can work through our differences, find common ground and wage a selfless fight for a better future.' The video highlights her military experiences as she responded to an attack on a U.S. naval destroyer in 2000 and her deployment to Iraq, as well as her service during the nation's longest war, in Afghanistan. The video also says she helped pass a bill that expanded military mental health care. She was appointed to the VA role in 2022. Earlier this year, State Sen. John Cavanaugh, the son of a former Democratic congressman from Omaha, formally announced his candidacy. Denise Powell, the co-founder of a political action committee and a business owner, announced her bid in May. Besides the two highest-profile Democratic candidates, Mark Johnston and Evangelos Argyrakis have confirmed they are running. And Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades is considering a bid. Askins says she 'loves' that it will be a large primary, because it gives Democratic voters in the district a lot of options and a chance to pick the best qualified candidate who can also win the general election. The district, which includes all of Douglas and Saunders Counties and a slice of western Sarpy County, is typically a target of both national parties, as one of the rare remaining districts that is politically split. It retains a slight GOP lean. With five-term U.S. Rep. Don Bacon retiring, the open-seat race is drawing a politically diverse and competitive field. Observers expect it to prove one of the costlier races in Congress for the 2026 midterms. Omaha City Council Vice President Brinker Harding and former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha have announced bids to be the Republican nominee. Askins took a centrist tone. She said it's important to approach Congress with the goal of building coalitions, because nothing can get done without building relationships. 'If I'm elected, I will represent all Nebraskans and not just a certain party,' Askins said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets' new receiver has a motto for himself which the team is following
Jan 2, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) gains yards after the catch against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Jan 2, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tyler Johnson (18) gains yards after the catch against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images The Jets signed Tyler Johnson this offseason to add some depth at wide receiver. The veteran pass-catcher follows a motto that has helped him stick around and find success in his NFL career. Now the rest of the Jets' receiving corps is following that same motto. Getting One Percent Better While speaking with the media, Johnson shared his mindset as he enters a new receiver room this season. Advertisement 'We're able to go out here and make plays and get 1 percent better every day,' Johnson said, per the team's website. Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images The Jets' roster is young and inexperienced. This makes the offseason practices that much more important. Veteran leadership is crucial. Johnson, a former Buccaneers wideout, is looking to make a big impact this season for the Jets. Last season, he put up 26 receptions, 291 yards, and one touchdown. He now joins a new offense with only one bona fide star in Garrett Wilson, instead of the stars of Tampa Bay. This benefits Johnson, as he could possibly get his targets in an offense that could support him. Advertisement Jets' roster needs to show continual growth With this roster being so young, and maybe not at the quality of the top rosters in the league, the growth they display throughout the season will prove to be crucial. If they are stagnant, and the front office, along with the coaches, do not see development throughout the season, changes will be made. Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images However, a lot of players on this roster are hungry for a new year, a different outlook, and a team that will change the Jets' future. This team could surprise many, leading them to a good offseason next year. Perhaps the Jets could make a big run in 2026. Advertisement Related Headlines
