Mike Flood | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNebraska's1st district | |
| Assumed office July 12, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jeff Fortenberry |
| Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature | |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 9, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Kermit Brashear |
| Succeeded by | Greg Adams |
| Member of theNebraska Legislature from the 19th district | |
| In office January 6, 2021 – July 11, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jim Scheer |
| Succeeded by | Rob Dover |
| In office January 5, 2005 – January 9, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Gene Tyson |
| Succeeded by | Jim Scheer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael John Flood (1975-02-23)February 23, 1975 (age 50) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mandi Flood |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Notre Dame (BA) University of Nebraska, Lincoln (JD) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Michael John Flood (born February 23, 1975)[1] is an American attorney, businessman, and politician serving as theU.S. representative forNebraska's 1st congressional district since July 2022.[2] A member of theRepublican Party, he previously served two stints as a member of theNebraska Legislature from the 19th district, from 2005 to 2013 and 2021 to 2022. He served as speaker of the legislature from 2007 to 2013.
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Born inOmaha, Nebraska, Flood was raised inNorfolk, Nebraska. In 1993, he graduated fromNorfolk Catholic High School in Norfolk. He received a Bachelor of Arts from theUniversity of Notre Dame in 1997 and aJuris Doctor from theUniversity of Nebraska College of Law in 2001.
Flood worked at a Norfolk radio station in high school. At the University of Notre Dame, he operated and hosted a show on the campus's radio station. After graduation, he worked as "Sideshow Mike" onWBYT's morning show for a year. Upon his return to Nebraska, he worked as a radio personality atLincoln-based country stationKFGE. In 1999, during his second year of law school, he launchedKUSO as the first station in what would become Flood Communications.[3]
As of 2023, he owned 15 radio stations and seven television stations in Nebraska.[4][5][6] In 2015, Flood founded theNews Channel Nebraska network, in which all television and radio stations participate.[7] NCN is Nebraska's only 24-hournews channel. Flood no longer solely owns the stations, having sold parts of the company to in-state investors.[8] In addition to being the operator of News Channel Nebraska, he was on-air talent, acting as a news reporter and hosting thevariety showQuarantine Tonight during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[9]
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In 2004, Flood ran for a seat in theNebraska Legislature, representing the 19th legislative district, which was coterminous withMadison County and included Norfolk. The incumbent, Gene Tyson, was retiring; Flood ran unopposed for the seat.[10][11][12] In 2010, he was named toTime's "40 Under 40" list as one of the rising stars in American politics.[13] During his first stint in the Nebraska Legislature, Flood introduced and successfully passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the nation's first 20-week abortion ban.[14] During a special legislative session in 2011, he successfully brokered a compromise that rerouted theKeystone XL pipeline.[15]
Flood left the Nebraska Legislature in 2013 due to term limits. He initially announced that he would run forgovernor in 2014, but withdrew from the race in December 2012 after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.[16]
In August 2019, Flood announced he would run for office for the 2020 cycle in the 19th district, replacingJim Scheer, who was termed out. Nebraska term limits only restrict consecutive terms.[17] He was unopposed in the 2020 election,[18] and returned to the Legislature for the 2021 legislative session.[19]
On January 16, 2022, Flood announced his candidacy in the2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, challenging the incumbent RepublicanJeff Fortenberry to representNebraska's 1st congressional district.[20] Fortenberry resigned from office on March 31, 2022, following a felony conviction.[21] His resignation necessitated aspecial election, for which the Nebraska Republican Party nominated Flood. He defeated Democratic nomineePatty Pansing Brooks[22] by a narrower than expected margin, 53%-47%.
Flood was reelected in November, defeating Brooks in a rematch, 58%-42%.[23]
Flood was reelected, defeating DemocratCarol Blood, 60%-40%, winning every county in the district.[24]
Flood was sworn into office bySpeaker of the HouseNancy Pelosi on July 12, 2022.[25]
As a result of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, on April 20, 2024, Flood voted for additional military aid to Ukraine and Israel. The passage of the aid ended a months-long stand-off over border security and additional foreign military aid that began in the summer of 2023.[citation needed]
In March 2024, it was reported that Flood had been pursued to serve as president of theUniversity of Nebraska system. Flood declined the job to stay in Congress.[26]
In July 2025, Flood was elected unanimously to serve as Chair of theRepublican Main Street Caucus.[27]
For the119th Congress:[28]
Flood voted to provide Israel with support following the2023 Israeli invasion of Gaza.[34][35]
During a contentious 2025 town hall, Flood said, "I supportElon Musk andDOGE" amid questions from town hall participants about Musk's actions in government and conflicts of interest.[36]
In July 2025, Flood was unanimously elected as the chair of theRepublican Main Street Caucus.[37]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature 2007–2013 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromNebraska's 1st congressional district 2022–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 293rd | Succeeded by |
