UPDATE: 6:17 PM
During an 11 a.m. press conference on Friday, Gov. Pete Ricketts and former Gov. Dave Heineman made a joint announcement that they are endorsing state Senator Mike Flood in his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry.
Flood announced on Sunday that he was running against Fortenberry for Nebraska's 1st Congressional District.
During the press conference, Ricketts reiterated Flood's conservative credentials. He was asked if Fortenberry should drop out of the race and responded that the GOP supports competitive primaries.
Ricketts and Heineman have consistently backed Fortenberry in the past, but Ricketts said that they want to pick the candidate who will beat a Democrat in November. Fortenberry is under federal indictment for allegedly lying to federal investigators.
"I'm a first district voter. I've been talking to the people in Fremont, Columbus, Norfolk, Lincoln and all other communities; they're very apprehensive and concerned about this legal dilemma that he's in," said Heineman.
The 1st Congressional District includes Lincoln, Columbus, Norfolk and, after redistricting, much of Bellevue and Papillion.
SEE MORE: Ricketts voices support for Nebraska US Rep. Fortenberry
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