Petersen Questions $46,000+ in Out-of-State Consulting Fees Tied to D.C.-Style Political Firms

Campaign Raises Concerns Over Annapolis-Based Firm with Ties to National Election Vendor Advocacy

LINCOLN, NE – The Scott Petersen for Secretary of State campaign is raising serious questions about the growing role of out-of-state consultants and national political networks in Nebraska’s Secretary of State race.

Campaign finance records show that Secretary of State Bob Evnen’s campaign has paid more than $46,000 in consulting fees since January 2026 to OnMessage Public Strategies, a Maryland-based political firm headquartered in Annapolis.

“This race should be decided by Nebraskans,” said Scott Petersen. “Not consultants from Annapolis or political operatives from Washington, D.C.”

Who Is OnMessage?

OnMessage Public Strategies is a national firm that specializes in what it describes as helping organizations navigate:

• “Reputational challenges”

• “Intense public pressure”

• Complex public policy environments

The firm operates at the intersection of politics, corporate advocacy, and public perception strategy.

Connections to National Election Advocacy Groups

OnMessage has been linked to work involving trade associations such as the American Council for Technology & Elections (ACET)—an organization formed by major election system vendors including:

• ES&S

• Dominion

• Hart InterCivic

ACET was created to represent the interests of election system vendors and respond to growing public scrutiny around election security and transparency.

“When voters are asking for more transparency, it raises real questions when campaigns turn to firms connected to organizations designed to manage that very pressure,” Petersen said.

Out-of-State Influence in a Nebraska Race

The Petersen campaign emphasized that this race is about Nebraska’s elections, not national messaging strategies.

“Nebraskans don’t need outside firms interpreting our concerns or shaping the narrative,” Petersen said. “We are fully capable of asking questions and expecting answers on our own.”

Follow the Money

The campaign is calling attention to the broader issue:

1. Why are tens of thousands of campaign dollars flowing out of state?

2. What role are national firms playing in shaping this race?

3. And how does that influence the conversation around election transparency?

“These are fair questions,” Petersen said. “And voters deserve clear answers.”

Nebraska vs. The National Playbook

Petersen contrasted this approach with his campaign’s strategy.

“We’re not outsourcing our message,” Petersen said. “We’re building it right here in Nebraska by listening to voters, showing up in communities, and focusing on the issues that matter. This office belongs to the people of Nebraska,” Petersen continued. “And the conversation about our elections should be driven by Nebraskans, not shaped by outside consultants or national interests.”