The Department of Political Science will be hosting an engaging opportunity to explore the ideas, institutions, and conversations that shape civic life.
“Perspectives on the 2026 Midterm Elections” will bring together experts in political communication, investigative reporting, political consulting, and academia to examine the forces shaping the upcoming elections and the broader political landscape. Speakers and attendees can consider how citizens, the media, and political institutions interact in a vibrant democracy.
The event will be held at the Sheldon Museum of Art on Sept. 16 at 5:00 p.m. This year’s speakers are Jim Crounse, John Hibbing, Ryan Horn, and Joe Jordan.
Crounse is one of the nation’s most respected Democratic direct mail strategists, with more than 35 years of experience helping elect candidates at every level of government. He led direct mail efforts for President Barack Obama’s campaigns, has worked with President Bill Clinton and numerous presidential candidates, and has advised U.S. senators, governors, members of Congress, and national Democratic committees across the country. Crounse also served as chief of staff to Congressman Peter Hoagland and Senator Max Baucus and currently chairs the Board of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. A frequent lecturer and mentor, he holds degrees from the University of Nebraska and Creighton University.
Hibbing is the Emeritus Foundation Regents University Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) where he taught for 42 years before retiring in 2023. His research focus was American politics as well as the influence of genetics and biology on people’s political orientations. Hibbing was named a NATO Fellow in Science, a senior Fulbright Fellow, an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and a Guggenheim Fellow. He’s published nine books and more than 100 journal articles and chapters, and he earned the university system’s Outstanding Research and Creativity Award and numerous accolades for teaching.
After over a decade in commercial advertising and communications, Horn returned to political media in 2012. He was named the 2013 “Campaign Manager of the Year” by the American Association of Political Consultants and won multiple Pollie awards. He founded Bullhorn Communications in 2019, building it into one of America's premier political advertising firms for candidates, organizations, SuperPAC's, and corporations. Clients include candidates for governor, mayor, and congress and a range of corporate and institutional clients. Born and raised in Omaha, Horn earned degrees in economics and political science from George Washington University.
Jordan’s nationally acclaimed career in journalism spans over five decades. From 1980 through 2009 he worked at KMTV in Omaha covering eight Iowa caucuses, seven Nebraska governors, four national political conventions, and more. In 2009 he launched Nebraska Watchdog, the state’s first non-profit, online political and investigative reporting site. He briefly stepped away from journalism in 2015, serving as Nebraska Congressman Brad Ashford’s district director and press secretary. He returned to journalism in 2017 with News Channel Nebraska and then retired in 2024. He has been recognized with numerous state and national awards.
The Peter J. Hoagland Integrity in Public Service Lecture Series honors the former second district congressman's legacy and seeks to inspire young people to dedicate themselves to public service. The series launched in 2008 with Ted Sorensen and has featured senator and retired astronaut Mark Kelly, alumnus and CNN senior White House correspondent Jeff Zeleny, and political analyst Amy Walter, among others. The lecture is held annually, rotating between UNL and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
As the university continues to recognize the 250th anniversary of the United States, this timely event is a chance to reflect on our nation’s democratic traditions and the institutions that sustain them.
The department is part of the College of Arts and Sciences.
