John Cavanaugh

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>John Cavanaugh completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cavanaugh's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-354607-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading-bio-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-354607-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-354607-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI was born and raised here in Omaha where my wife Kakie and I are raising our four kids, who all attend Omaha Public Schools.\r\n<p>I’m running for Congress to fight Trump's chaos and corruption, and to lower costs for Nebraskans.\r\n</p><p>During my two terms in the Nebraska Legislature, I’ve stood up to MAGA Republicans every day — I passed a bill to repeal the sales tax on diapers, sponsored a bill to reduce property taxes for almost every Nebraska homeowner, and blocked sales tax increases on groceries.\r\n</p><p>I led the fight to block a total abortion ban, fought for medical cannabis access, passed bills to protect victims of domestic violence, and this year introduced an emergency plan to prevent health insurance premiums from skyrocketing. \r\n</p><p>In my work as a legislator, I look for any way to improve the lives of my constituents and will stand up to anyone to do what’s right. \r\n</p>\nI am a graduate of Creighton Prep High School, received a BA degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and earned a JD and Master’s in Environmental Policy from Vermont Law School.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-354607-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading-key-message-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-354607-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-354607-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>I’m running to stand up to MAGA Republicans’ chaos and corruption. Donald Trump is the most corrupt President in American history and, in Congress, I'll hold him and his cronies accountable for their actions. I’ll also sponsor legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks, won’t trade stocks myself, and support a Constitutional amendment to prevent billionaires from buying our elections. In my congressional campaign, I’m refusing contributions from corporate PACs because I work for working families, not billionaires.</li><li>I’ll fight to lower the cost of living. Trump’s chaotic tariffs and the war in Iran are hurting our economy. Working families are bearing the brunt with higher prices for groceries, gas, healthcare, housing, and childcare. And job growth is stagnant. In the Nebraska Legislature, I repealed the state’s tax on diapers and now I am working to pass tax exemptions for overtime and tips. I also introduced bills to create a sales tax holiday for back-to-school items and to lower the cost of over the counter medicines. I’m running to continue fighting for working families and to stand up to Trump’s billionaire-first economy.</li><li>I’ll work to make healthcare cheaper. Americans should have access to healthcare at a cost they can afford, but Trump and Republicans prioritized tax cuts for billionaires over healthcare subsidies for millions. Without ACA tax credits, more than 100,000 Nebraskans have seen healthcare costs skyrocket just as Trump drives up gas, food, and childcare costs. In the Legislature, I authored an emergency plan to lower healthcare costs for these 100,000 Nebraskans. In Congress, I will fight to restore the ACA tax credits, reverse Trump’s cuts to Medicaid, and hold Big Pharma accountable for their price gouging. I will also work to expand Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug pricing.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-354607-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading1-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-354607-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-354607-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m passionate about taking on Trump and his billionaire friends to put money back in the pockets of working people. From misguided tariffs to cruel healthcare cuts—this administration’s corruption and its loyalty to billionaire donors is fueling our affordability crisis. I’m ready to stand up to anyone who puts special interests ahead of Nebraskans. I won’t take corporate PAC money or trade stocks while in Congress because Nebraskans should never have to guess who their elected leaders work for.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-354607-2026-04-08\" id=\"heading2-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse2-354607-2026-04-08\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse2-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading2-354607-2026-04-08\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse2-354607-2026-04-08\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tLabor unions: Nebraska AFL-CIO; Building &amp; Construction Trades; Iron Workers 21; UA Steamfitters &amp; Plumbers 464; Amalgamated Transit Union; Machinists 31, 180, 602, 612, 1569, 8, &amp; 9; IBEW 1521, 1483, 763; AFSCME; BLET Nebraska.<br/><br/>\n<p>Additional organizations: End Citizens United, People Over Monopolies, Sierra Club, NRDC Action Fund, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Patriotic Millionaires, National Cmte to Preserve Social Security &amp; Medicare, Social Security Works.<br/><br/>\r\nReps. Jamie Raskin, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Greg Casar, Chris DeLuzio, Jan Schakowsky, Mark Pocan.<br/><br/>\r\nFmr NE Gov. and Sen. Ben Nelson.<br/><br/>\r\nFmr MD Gov. Martin O'Malley.<br/><br/>\r\nFmr Omaha Mayors Jim Suttle &amp; Mike Fahey.<br/><br/>\n</p>\n11 current &amp; fmr state senators.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>\n<div><div style=\"margin-bottom:1.5rem\"><h4>Campaign website</h4><p>Cavanaugh's campaign website stated the following:</p><div style=\"max-height:400px;overflow-y:auto;border:1px solid #ccc;padding:10px;margin:20px\"><blockquote style=\"margin:0px\"><h2><strong style=\"color: inherit;\">Lower the Cost of Living</strong></h2><p><strong>Trump’s chaotic tariffs and the War in Iran are hurting our economy. </strong> Working families are bearing the brunt with higher prices for groceries, gas, healthcare, housing, and childcare. And job growth is stagnant.   </p><p>In the Nebraska Legislature, <strong>I repealed the state’s tax on diapers and now I am working to exempt overtime and tips from state income taxes.</strong> I also introduced bills to create a sales tax holiday for back-to-school items and to lower the cost of over the counter medicines.</p><p><strong>I’m running for Congress to continue fighting for working families and to stand up to Trump’s billionaire-first economy.</strong> In Congress, I will vote to repeal Trump’s tariffs and reassert congressional responsibilities over trade. </p><h2><strong style=\"color: inherit;\">Reduce the Cost of Healthcare and Improve Access</strong></h2><p>Americans should have access to healthcare at a cost they can afford, but Donald Trump and Republicans prioritized tax cuts for billionaires over healthcare subsidies for millions. Without ACA subsidies, more than 100,000 Nebraskans have seen healthcare costs skyrocket just as Trump’s tariffs and costly war are driving up gas, food, and childcare costs. </p><p><strong>In the Legislature, I just authored an emergency plan to lower healthcare costs for more than 100,000 Nebraskans who saw their monthly health insurance bill increase this year because of Trump’s cuts.</strong></p><p><strong>In Congress, I will fight to fully restore the Affordable Care Act tax credits so that families can buy insurance at a lower cost. I'll also reverse Trump’s cuts to Medicaid which will impact Nebraskans starting May 1st. </strong>We need to hold Big Pharma accountable for their price gouging. And, I will remain focused on lowering the cost of prescription drugs for working families and seniors by expanding Medicare’s ability to negotiate pricing. </p><p>Trump’s attacks on our healthcare are literally life changing. I met Jennifer, a musician here in Omaha. She gets her health insurance through the ACA exchange and unfortunately needs a double lung transplant. She shared with me that she’s terrified of her family being crushed by medical bills. While she should be focused on recovering, Jennifer and her husband are worrying about their premium increasing from $690 to $2,000.</p><h2><strong style=\"color: inherit;\">Build More Affordable Homes</strong></h2><p><strong>Young people and working families should have the ability to buy a home just like their parents and grandparents</strong> did, but the cost of buying a home today is far too expensive. In the Nebraska Legislature, I introduced legislation to help first-time homebuyers with tax credits and down payment assistance.</p><p>I also introduced legislation to crack down on predatory and hidden fees from landlords </p><p>In Congress, <strong>I’ll stop private equity companies from buying up homes and I’ll fight to increase the supply of affordable homes</strong> so more working families have the opportunity for home ownership.</p><h2><strong style=\"color: inherit;\">Help Families with Child Care Costs</strong></h2><p>As a working father of four, I know how much it costs to raise a family and the status quo needs to change. <strong>My wife and I have spent nearly $300,000 on childcare over the years — more than our home, even more than my student loans. </strong></p><p>In Congress,<strong> I will fight for universal paid family and medical leave, just as I fought for paid sick leave in the Legislature. </strong>I also support capping child care costs at 7% of household income for middle class families, expanding the federal Child Tax Credit, and making sure child care workers are paid a living wage.</p><h2><strong style=\"color: inherit;\">Fight for our Democracy</strong></h2><p>Trump’s attacks on our democracy are almost unfathomable. <strong>This administration has assaulted, arrested, and detained American citizens. They have tried to make it harder to vote, tore down Roe v. Wade, and allowed big corporations to run rampant. In Congress, I will work to undo all of this</strong> by co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act, both efforts to expand voting rights, address corruption, and strengthen our democracy. </p><h2><strong>Protect our Environment and Reverse Climate Change</strong></h2><p>I’ll fight for clean air and clean water while making sure we invest in good-paying jobs of the future that don’t leave workers behind. In the Legislature,<strong> I brought together farmers and climate groups to pass bipartisan legislation incentivizing solar panels on big farms.</strong> This bill was a win-win: it made farmers more profitable while allowing them to use cleaner forms of energy. </p><p>Protecting our environment and addressing climate change is important to me. <strong>I was inspired to pursue a JD and Masters in Environmental Policy after spending many a spring day in a duck blind watching the sandhill cranes. </strong></p><p>I’m proud to have earned the endorsements of the Sierra Club and NRDC Action Fund.</p><h2><strong style=\"color: inherit;\">Stop Violent Crime and Work for Safe Neighborhoods </strong></h2><p>Finding ways to keep our communities safe is important to me, that’s why <strong>the first bill I ever passed in the legislature was one that protected victims of domestic violence</strong> by allowing them to break a lease they held with their abuser penalty-free. </p><p><strong>I’ve also authored legislation to lower the taxes first responders</strong> who serve our community for at least 20 years pay on their pensions. This would incentivize our first responders to continue serving Nebraskans rather than moving out of state and address staffing shortages. </p><p>I also introduced a bill to keep guns out of the hands of children in Nebraska. <strong>In Congress, I’ll continue this work so that we can reduce gun violence.</strong></p><h2><strong>Reform Immigration Laws and Stop ICE Violence</strong></h2><p><strong>The Trump Administration’s approach to immigration is un-American. </strong>The cruelty and incompetence we have seen from ICE does not make Nebraskans safer. All people deserve to be treated humanely and I support a roadmap to citizenship for immigrants. We should also strengthen the expansion of pathways for family unity and work opportunities, with robust labor and humanitarian standards.</p><p><strong>Democrats must put pressure on Trump and ICE to stop the detention of American citizens, end warrantless arrests, and ban ICE agents from wearing masks. There must also be a full, independent investigation into ICE’s murders, and ICE agents should not have immunity from criminal prosecution.</strong></p><h2><strong style=\"color: inherit;\">Restore Reproductive Rights</strong></h2><p><strong>MAGA Republicans want to tell Nebraskans what they can and cannot do — I disagree. </strong>Women should make the best decisions for themselves with the advice of their doctors, not Donald Trump and Brinker Harding. <strong>That is why I led the fight to block a total abortion ban here in Nebraska.</strong></p><p>This is a fight that is personal for so many women across Nebraska and our country. In Congress, I will always stand up to anti-choice Republicans and oppose any effort to restrict birth control and reproductive care. </p><p><strong>I will fight to restore the right to an abortion at the federal level and I’ll expand insurance coverage of fertility treatments. </strong></p><h2><strong style=\"color: inherit;\">Stop Trump's Corruption and Reform Congress </strong></h2><p>Corruption runs rampant in Washington and it’s making life harder for us here in Nebraska. <strong>Donald Trump is the most corrupt President in American history and in Congress, I'll hold him and his MAGA cronies accountable for their actions. </strong></p><p><strong>I’ll also sponsor legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks, won’t trade stocks myself, and support a Constitutional amendment to prevent billionaires from buying our elections. </strong>In my congressional campaign, I’m refusing contributions from corporate PACs, because I work for working families, not billionaires.</p><p>I’m proud to be running with the endorsement of End Citizens United, a leading national anti-corruption organization. </p><h2><strong style=\"color: inherit;\">Protect Social Security and Medicare </strong></h2><p>Every Nebraskan deserves to retire comfortably and with dignity.<strong> In Congress, I will work to expand and strengthen these programs so that seniors’ earned benefits remain protected for them and future generations. </strong></p><p>I’ll fight against anyone who wants to privatize Social Security and gamble guaranteed monthly benefits in the stock market. In the legislature I sponsored and passed legislation that ended state income taxes on Social Security benefits. In Congress I’ll fight for Medicare to cover dental and vision coverage and allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices.</p><p>I’m proud to be endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Social Security Works.</p></blockquote><div style=\"text-align: right; font-size: 0.9em; color: #555; margin-top: 0.5em;\"><p style=\"font-size:0.9em;color:#555\">— John Cavanaugh's <a href=\"https://www.johncavanaugh.org/issues\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">campaign website</a> (April 28, 2026)</p></div></div></div><div style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0.5em;\"><i>Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.</i></div></div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<p>John Cavanaugh did not complete <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection</a> survey.\n</p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"></div>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>John Cavanaugh completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cavanaugh's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-77194-2020-09-23\" id=\"heading-bio-77194-2020-09-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-77194-2020-09-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-77194-2020-09-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-77194-2020-09-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-77194-2020-09-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI am a lifelong Nebraskan, and I have worked as a public defender for the last seven years in Omaha, protecting the constitutional rights of all of our neighbors. I received a J.D. and a Masters in environmental policy from Vermont Law School. I live in the Aksarben/Elmwood Park neighborhood with my wife Kakie and our four children. I am running for Legislature because I have seen what happens when we fail to support our community through quality education, access to healthcare, and job opportunities. I believe our laws should reflect our shared values of community, opportunity, and equality for all. That means full legal protections for LGBTQ+ Nebraskans and fighting to end systemic racism in our institutions. I will work to ensure that all Nebraskans get the help they need to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-77194-2020-09-23\" id=\"heading-key-message-77194-2020-09-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-77194-2020-09-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-77194-2020-09-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-77194-2020-09-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-77194-2020-09-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>In the Legislature I will work to stop mass incarceration and decrease crime through investments in access to stable housing, access to healthcare, and access to educational and job opportunities.</li><li>Climate change is real, and we must act now to head off a catastrophe. In the Legislature, I will protect our environment.</li><li>I support quality public education, affordable health care, paid family leave, increasing the minimum wage, and tax reform that benefits the working and middle class, not the wealthy and powerful.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-77194-2020-09-23\" id=\"heading1-77194-2020-09-23\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-77194-2020-09-23\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-77194-2020-09-23\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-77194-2020-09-23\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-77194-2020-09-23\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tFrom an early age I have always been passionate about the environment. In law school I studied environmental policy, and I currently sit on the board of a transportation advocacy organization, ModeShift Omaha. We need more lawmakers who not only acknowledge the reality of climate change but are actually willing to take action. Just this past year the Legislature filibustered a bill that would have created a state climate action plan, as climate deniers ridiculed the need for it. I will fight to protect our environment in the Legislature.<br/><br/>\n<p>As a public defender, I know the impact that criminal laws have on the people of our state, and I worry greatly when I see lawmakers who base their knowledge of criminal justice on what they see on television shows. I will be a voice for criminal justice reform in the Legislature.<br/><br/>\n</p>\nI serve those who cannot afford to hire an attorney, and I see the need for that in civil matters as well, particularly those who are at risk of losing their homes due to eviction. That's why I support and will introduce legislation to guarantee a right to counsel in eviction cases.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nJohn Cavanaugh completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cavanaugh's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I was born and raised here in Omaha where my wife Kakie and I are raising our four kids, who all attend Omaha Public Schools. I’m running for Congress to fight Trump's chaos and corruption, and to lower costs for Nebraskans. During my two terms in the Nebraska Legislature, I’ve stood up to MAGA Republicans every day — I passed a bill to repeal the sales tax on diapers, sponsored a bill to reduce property taxes for almost every Nebraska homeowner, and blocked sales tax increases on groceries. I led the fight to block a total abortion ban, fought for medical cannabis access, passed bills to protect victims of domestic violence, and this year introduced an emergency plan to prevent health insurance premiums from skyrocketing. In my work as a legislator, I look for any way to improve the lives of my constituents and will stand up to anyone to do what’s right. I am a graduate of Creighton Prep High School, received a BA degree from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and earned a JD and Master’s in Environmental Policy from Vermont Law School. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? I’m running to stand up to MAGA Republicans’ chaos and corruption. Donald Trump is the most corrupt President in American history and, in Congress, I'll hold him and his cronies accountable for their actions. I’ll also sponsor legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks, won’t trade stocks myself, and support a Constitutional amendment to prevent billionaires from buying our elections. In my congressional campaign, I’m refusing contributions from corporate PACs because I work for working families, not billionaires. I’ll fight to lower the cost of living. Trump’s chaotic tariffs and the war in Iran are hurting our economy. Working families are bearing the brunt with higher prices for groceries, gas, healthcare, housing, and childcare. And job growth is stagnant. In the Nebraska Legislature, I repealed the state’s tax on diapers and now I am working to pass tax exemptions for overtime and tips. I also introduced bills to create a sales tax holiday for back-to-school items and to lower the cost of over the counter medicines. I’m running to continue fighting for working families and to stand up to Trump’s billionaire-first economy. I’ll work to make healthcare cheaper. Americans should have access to healthcare at a cost they can afford, but Trump and Republicans prioritized tax cuts for billionaires over healthcare subsidies for millions. Without ACA tax credits, more than 100,000 Nebraskans have seen healthcare costs skyrocket just as Trump drives up gas, food, and childcare costs. In the Legislature, I authored an emergency plan to lower healthcare costs for these 100,000 Nebraskans. In Congress, I will fight to restore the ACA tax credits, reverse Trump’s cuts to Medicaid, and hold Big Pharma accountable for their price gouging. I will also work to expand Medicare’s ability to negotiate drug pricing. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I’m passionate about taking on Trump and his billionaire friends to put money back in the pockets of working people. From misguided tariffs to cruel healthcare cuts—this administration’s corruption and its loyalty to billionaire donors is fueling our affordability crisis. I’m ready to stand up to anyone who puts special interests ahead of Nebraskans. I won’t take corporate PAC money or trade stocks while in Congress because Nebraskans should never have to guess who their elected leaders work for. What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign? Labor unions: Nebraska AFL-CIO; Building & Construction Trades; Iron Workers 21; UA Steamfitters & Plumbers 464; Amalgamated Transit Union; Machinists 31, 180, 602, 612, 1569, 8, & 9; IBEW 1521, 1483, 763; AFSCME; BLET Nebraska. Additional organizations: End Citizens United, People Over Monopolies, Sierra Club, NRDC Action Fund, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Patriotic Millionaires, National Cmte to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, Social Security Works. Reps. Jamie Raskin, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Greg Casar, Chris DeLuzio, Jan Schakowsky, Mark Pocan. Fmr NE Gov. and Sen. Ben Nelson. Fmr MD Gov. Martin O'Malley. Fmr Omaha Mayors Jim Suttle & Mike Fahey. 11 current & fmr state senators.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.\nCampaign website Cavanaugh's campaign website stated the following: Lower the Cost of Living Trump’s chaotic tariffs and the War in Iran are hurting our economy. Working families are bearing the brunt with higher prices for groceries, gas, healthcare, housing, and childcare. And job growth is stagnant. In the Nebraska Legislature, I repealed the state’s tax on diapers and now I am working to exempt overtime and tips from state income taxes. I also introduced bills to create a sales tax holiday for back-to-school items and to lower the cost of over the counter medicines. I’m running for Congress to continue fighting for working families and to stand up to Trump’s billionaire-first economy. In Congress, I will vote to repeal Trump’s tariffs and reassert congressional responsibilities over trade. Reduce the Cost of Healthcare and Improve Access Americans should have access to healthcare at a cost they can afford, but Donald Trump and Republicans prioritized tax cuts for billionaires over healthcare subsidies for millions. Without ACA subsidies, more than 100,000 Nebraskans have seen healthcare costs skyrocket just as Trump’s tariffs and costly war are driving up gas, food, and childcare costs. In the Legislature, I just authored an emergency plan to lower healthcare costs for more than 100,000 Nebraskans who saw their monthly health insurance bill increase this year because of Trump’s cuts. In Congress, I will fight to fully restore the Affordable Care Act tax credits so that families can buy insurance at a lower cost. I'll also reverse Trump’s cuts to Medicaid which will impact Nebraskans starting May 1st. We need to hold Big Pharma accountable for their price gouging. And, I will remain focused on lowering the cost of prescription drugs for working families and seniors by expanding Medicare’s ability to negotiate pricing. Trump’s attacks on our healthcare are literally life changing. I met Jennifer, a musician here in Omaha. She gets her health insurance through the ACA exchange and unfortunately needs a double lung transplant. She shared with me that she’s terrified of her family being crushed by medical bills. While she should be focused on recovering, Jennifer and her husband are worrying about their premium increasing from $690 to $2,000. Build More Affordable Homes Young people and working families should have the ability to buy a home just like their parents and grandparents did, but the cost of buying a home today is far too expensive. In the Nebraska Legislature, I introduced legislation to help first-time homebuyers with tax credits and down payment assistance. I also introduced legislation to crack down on predatory and hidden fees from landlords In Congress, I’ll stop private equity companies from buying up homes and I’ll fight to increase the supply of affordable homes so more working families have the opportunity for home ownership. Help Families with Child Care Costs As a working father of four, I know how much it costs to raise a family and the status quo needs to change. My wife and I have spent nearly $300,000 on childcare over the years — more than our home, even more than my student loans. In Congress, I will fight for universal paid family and medical leave, just as I fought for paid sick leave in the Legislature. I also support capping child care costs at 7% of household income for middle class families, expanding the federal Child Tax Credit, and making sure child care workers are paid a living wage. Fight for our Democracy Trump’s attacks on our democracy are almost unfathomable. This administration has assaulted, arrested, and detained American citizens. They have tried to make it harder to vote, tore down Roe v. Wade, and allowed big corporations to run rampant. In Congress, I will work to undo all of this by co-sponsoring the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For the People Act, both efforts to expand voting rights, address corruption, and strengthen our democracy. Protect our Environment and Reverse Climate Change I’ll fight for clean air and clean water while making sure we invest in good-paying jobs of the future that don’t leave workers behind. In the Legislature, I brought together farmers and climate groups to pass bipartisan legislation incentivizing solar panels on big farms. This bill was a win-win: it made farmers more profitable while allowing them to use cleaner forms of energy. Protecting our environment and addressing climate change is important to me. I was inspired to pursue a JD and Masters in Environmental Policy after spending many a spring day in a duck blind watching the sandhill cranes. I’m proud to have earned the endorsements of the Sierra Club and NRDC Action Fund. Stop Violent Crime and Work for Safe Neighborhoods Finding ways to keep our communities safe is important to me, that’s why the first bill I ever passed in the legislature was one that protected victims of domestic violence by allowing them to break a lease they held with their abuser penalty-free. I’ve also authored legislation to lower the taxes first responders who serve our community for at least 20 years pay on their pensions. This would incentivize our first responders to continue serving Nebraskans rather than moving out of state and address staffing shortages. I also introduced a bill to keep guns out of the hands of children in Nebraska. In Congress, I’ll continue this work so that we can reduce gun violence. Reform Immigration Laws and Stop ICE Violence The Trump Administration’s approach to immigration is un-American. The cruelty and incompetence we have seen from ICE does not make Nebraskans safer. All people deserve to be treated humanely and I support a roadmap to citizenship for immigrants. We should also strengthen the expansion of pathways for family unity and work opportunities, with robust labor and humanitarian standards. Democrats must put pressure on Trump and ICE to stop the detention of American citizens, end warrantless arrests, and ban ICE agents from wearing masks. There must also be a full, independent investigation into ICE’s murders, and ICE agents should not have immunity from criminal prosecution. Restore Reproductive Rights MAGA Republicans want to tell Nebraskans what they can and cannot do — I disagree. Women should make the best decisions for themselves with the advice of their doctors, not Donald Trump and Brinker Harding. That is why I led the fight to block a total abortion ban here in Nebraska. This is a fight that is personal for so many women across Nebraska and our country. In Congress, I will always stand up to anti-choice Republicans and oppose any effort to restrict birth control and reproductive care. I will fight to restore the right to an abortion at the federal level and I’ll expand insurance coverage of fertility treatments. Stop Trump's Corruption and Reform Congress Corruption runs rampant in Washington and it’s making life harder for us here in Nebraska. Donald Trump is the most corrupt President in American history and in Congress, I'll hold him and his MAGA cronies accountable for their actions. I’ll also sponsor legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks, won’t trade stocks myself, and support a Constitutional amendment to prevent billionaires from buying our elections. In my congressional campaign, I’m refusing contributions from corporate PACs, because I work for working families, not billionaires. I’m proud to be running with the endorsement of End Citizens United, a leading national anti-corruption organization. Protect Social Security and Medicare Every Nebraskan deserves to retire comfortably and with dignity. In Congress, I will work to expand and strengthen these programs so that seniors’ earned benefits remain protected for them and future generations. I’ll fight against anyone who wants to privatize Social Security and gamble guaranteed monthly benefits in the stock market. In the legislature I sponsored and passed legislation that ended state income taxes on Social Security benefits. In Congress I’ll fight for Medicare to cover dental and vision coverage and allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. I’m proud to be endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Social Security Works. — John Cavanaugh's campaign website (April 28, 2026) Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.\n\nJohn Cavanaugh did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.\n\n\nJohn Cavanaugh completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cavanaugh's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I am a lifelong Nebraskan, and I have worked as a public defender for the last seven years in Omaha, protecting the constitutional rights of all of our neighbors. I received a J.D. and a Masters in environmental policy from Vermont Law School. I live in the Aksarben/Elmwood Park neighborhood with my wife Kakie and our four children. I am running for Legislature because I have seen what happens when we fail to support our community through quality education, access to healthcare, and job opportunities. I believe our laws should reflect our shared values of community, opportunity, and equality for all. That means full legal protections for LGBTQ+ Nebraskans and fighting to end systemic racism in our institutions. I will work to ensure that all Nebraskans get the help they need to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? In the Legislature I will work to stop mass incarceration and decrease crime through investments in access to stable housing, access to healthcare, and access to educational and job opportunities. Climate change is real, and we must act now to head off a catastrophe. In the Legislature, I will protect our environment. I support quality public education, affordable health care, paid family leave, increasing the minimum wage, and tax reform that benefits the working and middle class, not the wealthy and powerful. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? From an early age I have always been passionate about the environment. In law school I studied environmental policy, and I currently sit on the board of a transportation advocacy organization, ModeShift Omaha. We need more lawmakers who not only acknowledge the reality of climate change but are actually willing to take action. Just this past year the Legislature filibustered a bill that would have created a state climate action plan, as climate deniers ridiculed the need for it. I will fight to protect our environment in the Legislature. As a public defender, I know the impact that criminal laws have on the people of our state, and I worry greatly when I see lawmakers who base their knowledge of criminal justice on what they see on television shows. I will be a voice for criminal justice reform in the Legislature. I serve those who cannot afford to hire an attorney, and I see the need for that in civil matters as well, particularly those who are at risk of losing their homes due to eviction. That's why I support and will introduce legislation to guarantee a right to counsel in eviction cases.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]