LINCOLN - Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks is gearing up for her next challenge.

The Lincoln state senator, who will be term-limited out of the Legislature at the end of next year, will announce soon that she will seek the 2022 Democratic nomination for Republican Rep. Jeff Fortenberry's 1st District House seat.

Fortenberry, who has pleaded not guilty, is facing trial in Los Angeles on federal charges that he lied to the FBI and concealed information about illegal campaign contributions that he accepted from foreign sources in 2016. Although a trial date has been set for Dec. 14, it is possible that it may be delayed.

There are many unanswered questions regarding the 2022 congressional race. We know that Fortenberry will be challenged by Democrats if he decides to seek reelection, but it is unknown whether another Republican would contend for the position as well. It is also yet to be seen whether Senator Pansing Brooks or any other Democrat could compete with the incumbent in a district that has been strictly Republican for quite some time.

Some of the state senators who will have finished their two terms at the end of next year are the hardest working and most impartial legislators. However, there are not many legislators who would want to run for another, more demanding, elected office after serving two terms.

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