FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 9, 2026

Leading NE-02 Candidate John Cavanaugh Calls Out Trump and Washington's Corruption in New Op-Ed and Video; Promising to Refuse Corporate PAC Money and Ban Congressional Stock Trading

Omaha, NE – Just over a year since taking office, new estimates show Trump and his family have made billions of dollars off of the presidency. Trump has made this fortune by licensing his name on luxury projects around the globe, by accepting a jet from Qatar, by suing tech and media companies—and more. 

Now Trump is suing the IRS for $10 billion. If he wins this suit he will be taking $10 billion in taxpayer dollars and putting it directly into his own bank account.

In an op-ed published today in the Omaha World Herald, Cavanaugh writes:

“Trump’s corruption has consequences — it's adding to the affordability crisis. His greed and corruption mean that he’ll happily let corporations and other countries do as they please if it means they’ll pay up. Trump doesn’t care that his tariffs mean families pay more for groceries, electronics, and even housing.

We need Congress to stop Trump and hold him accountable, but corruption in Washington doesn't end with Trump. Fixing a broken system will take leaders who have the courage and proven leadership to stand up to Trump and the billionaires and corporate interests who surround him.

In Congress, I will fight to ban Members of Congress from stock trading and fight for laws that prevent ANY President from profiting off of the Presidency like this. I’m refusing corporate PAC money and promising not to trade any stock while in office. It’s time to elect leaders who put their constituents ahead of their own interests every single day.”

Cavanaugh is running for Congress to stand up to the corruption in Washington. His campaign is refusing corporate PAC donations. Cavanaugh won’t trade stocks as a Member of Congress, and will fight to ban Members of Congress and their spouses from stock-trading entirely. Cavanaugh will also support a constitutional amendment to prevent billionaires from buying our elections. 

“Corruption is an issue I hear about all of the time from voters of all ages,” said Cavanaugh, who has knocked on hundreds of doors and spoken to voters in every part of the district throughout the campaign. Cavanaugh’s message is resonating with voters—he maintains a 28-point lead in the polls and outraised every candidate last quarter.

In a new video released by the campaign, one Omaha voter says: “I don’t think you should control an economy in which you are benefitting from.” Another says, “In the world of Donald Trump, whoever gives him the most money gets what they want.” 

Watch HERE:

Cavanaugh has the support of State Senators Terrell McKinney, Ashlei Spivey, George Dungan, Danielle Conrad, Victor Rountree, Dan Quick, and Machaela Cavanaugh.

Cavanaugh is endorsed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, and has eight union endorsements, including AFSCME, the Amalgamated Transit Union, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 1483, IBEW 763, IBEW 1521, the UA Steamfitters & Plumber Local Union 464, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Nebraska State Legislative Board  and the Machinists, which includes IAM Locals 31, 180, 602, 612, and 1569, along with District 8 and District 19.