Brinker Harding, the Republican nominee in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, has not yet filed either of his required personal financial disclosures – one of which was due last August.
In a statement to Nebraska Public Media News, Harding said the late filing is a simple oversight that his team is working to correct.
“My personal financial disclosure will be public shortly, and we have nothing to hide,” Harding said.
All candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives who raise or spend more than $5,000 are required to file a personal financial disclosure with the Clerk of the House within 30 days of announcing their candidacy, or by May 15 – whichever comes first. A second financial disclosure is due the following May 15. Candidates are able to request an extension of up to 90 days.
Because he entered the race on July 1, 2025, Harding’s first disclosure was due a month later on Aug. 1. He has not yet filed that first disclosure, or the second disclosure, which was due last week. He has not filed for an extension. Under the Ethics in Government Act, an individual who “knowingly and willingly” fails to file a personal financial disclosure can be subject to a civil penalty of up to $11,000.
In Nebraska, all other House candidates who have advanced to the general election submitted their first and second disclosure reports, or received an extension. Incumbent House members are also required to file personal financial disclosure reports, and all are up to date.
Democrat Denise Powell, who will face off with Harding in November, was granted an extension and filed her first disclosure report last August. Powell was also granted an extension for her second report until Aug. 13.
In the 1st District, Democrat Chris Backemeyer was granted an extension and filed his first disclosure form in March. His second disclosure will be due on Aug. 13. Becky Stille, a Democrat in the 3rd Congressional District, filed both of her reports on the due date without requesting an extension.
Incumbent Reps. Mike Flood of the 1st District and Adrian Smith of the 3rd District are also up to date with their financial disclosure forms. They both most recently filed in 2025 and have a second report due later this year.
Senate candidates also have to file personal financial disclosure forms, though they go through a different office. Independent Senate Candidate Dan Osborn filed his most recent report in October and received an extension for his next report, which is due in August. Sen. Pete Ricketts is up to date on his personal financial disclosures.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said in a statement that Harding’s late disclosure was indicative of a lack of accountability.
“Brinker Harding has had 10 months to file his personal financial disclosure but for some reason he decided voters don’t deserve basic transparency,” DCCC spokesperson Madison Andrus said. “What is he hiding?”
Harding, in response, attacked Powell as “dark money Denise” – a name initially coined by her primary opponent that Republicans have since utilized – and said she should “answer for” her previous work with the Sixteen Thirty Fund and New Ventures Fund, two nonprofits that are named in a recent lawsuit from Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers.
Powell has previously said that she worked in outreach and communications for the nonprofits and had no involvement in fundraising.