LEMOYNE, NE — 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.”
Cohen is equally critical of today’s Republican leadership.
“Today’s Republican leaders are not conservatives,” he said. “They call themselves fiscal conservatives, but they cut taxes for the rich and balloon the deficit for our children. They claim to be patriots but do little to counter Russian aggression. They say they believe in limited government yet want to regulate almost everything at the federal level now that they’re in power.”
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.”
About Mark Cohen
Cohen first came to Nebraska in 1983 when the Air Force assigned him to Offutt Air Force Base. While on active duty, he also served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for Nebraska. After leaving active duty, Cohen practiced law in Omaha for eight years, representing an
agricultural lender during the farm crisis of the late 1980s. He later earned an advanced law degree (LL.M.) in agricultural law from the University of Arkansas, where he also served as an adjunct faculty member. He also served on the Colorado Combative Sports Commission (formerly the Colorado Boxing Commission) for three years.
“Running for Congress is not something I take lightly,” Cohen said. “I know the enormity of the challenge and the importance of preparing for a fight. Over the past few months, I’ve spoken with many Nebraskans and listened to their concerns. My exploratory committee will continue those conversations and help determine the most effective path forward to serve rural Nebraskans and move beyond the divisive, ineffective climate the two parties have created.”