An Electric Jeep Takes To The Campaign Trail

Eric Moyer, Democratic Party candidate for Nebraska's First Congressional District with his 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S over this right shoulder

By EVWorld.com Si Editorial Team

With the exception of the "Blue Dot" of Democratic Party resistance centered around Omaha, Nebraska is confidently considered a reliably "Red" state. Ben Nelson, Medal of Honor recipient Bob Kerrey, and Brad Ashford were the last Democratic Party representatives in Congress. Every Democratic candidate fielded over the past decade has lost to their Republican opponents.

So, it might seem like a veritable "suicide mission" to run for national office as a Democrat. This week, I sat down at Walnut Creek Lake with Eric Moyer, a Lincoln-based businessman who has declared his intention to challenge the Republican incumbent for Nebraska's First Congressional District. Unlike Omaha's 2nd District, the First is considered "safe" for MAGA, given its largely rural makeup. Lincoln, the state capital, is the largest urban area, followed by Norfolk, Columbus, and Fremont.

Moyer, a father of two, has a teenage son just learning to drive - a fact that clearly makes the 40-something dad a little nervous. He appears to have a clear field, with two previously declared primary opponents having dropped out. Still, he acknowledged that he faces a hard-fought campaign over the next twelve months. As he told me, he's determined to campaign in church basements across the district, which spans nearly 6,000 square miles and is home to roughly 659,000 residents.

He plans to do it behind the wheel of the family's new 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S, the brand's first all-electric SUV. He bought it back in the spring, trading in two of the family's gas-powered vehicles - including his 22-mpg midsize pickup.

Why the Wagoneer S? Simple economics. He can drive it all over the district - and he's already logged 8,000 miles - for a fraction of the cost of running his old truck. With its estimated 100 kWh battery pack and 400V architecture, he can drive from Lincoln to Norfolk and back without stopping to recharge. The EPA-estimated range is 294 miles, and fast charging from 20% to 80% takes about 27 minutes.

I asked about charging infrastructure in the district, and he said it's solid: fast chargers are available in Columbus and Norfolk, in addition to those in Lincoln.

Moyer, who had a career as a Hollywood actor before meeting his wife and moving back to Nebraska, is originally from Madison, NE - best known for hosting the state's largest hog processing plant. Before starting college, where he earned a master's degree, he participated in a summer acting workshop and got "hooked." After receiving his undergraduate degree, Eric said he "juggled" work as an actor while also doing event management and promotions."

After college, he worked for a healthcare research firm during the ACA debate, which sparked his interest in politics. He's a strong supporter of Medicare for All.

After returning to Nebraska, he began organizing trade shows for clients. Eventually, he took a financial and management stake in a solar business, exposing him to the promise of renewable energy. He's especially intrigued by agrivoltaics - mixing solar trellises with various types of farming, from California vineyards to livestock operations. Sheep and goats are common, but cattle are being tested more experimentally.¹ He noted that agrivoltaics not only provide farms with two income sources - produce and power - but also benefit livestock and crops, especially as climate change stresses soil and water resources.

So, what's been the reaction of District 1 voters to his driving an EV? "There has been no reaction," he replied. While a new Wagoneer S lists around $65,000, Moyer noted that his was a "program" car and the dealer gave him a "really good deal" when they traded in two vehicles.

Did he take advantage of the now-expired federal tax credit? Absolutely. But he doesn't think EVs need them anymore. He supports a graduated phase-out of the credits. "Carmakers need to make EVs more affordable," he said, adding with emphasis that one way to do that is by reducing or eliminating all the "add-ons" - non-essential tech like lane-keeping systems - that allow manufacturers to jack up prices. He pointed out that he's turned off all those features on his own car.

And what about opening the U.S. market to Chinese-made EVs like the BYD Seal, which sells for the equivalent of under $10,000 in China? He's confident U.S. automakers can compete.

He also confided that while the Wagoneer S is technically his wife's car, his personal daily driver is an '85 Ford Mustang SVO. He also still owns the classic 1966 Mustang GT he bought at age 17.

So, will the 2025 Wagoneer S help him win a few more votes? Maybe, maybe not. But it sure beats driving across rural Nebraska in a rattly, gas-guzzling pickup. Instead, he'll be traveling - quite literally - on sunshine.

¹ And now also bees! See our Editor-in-Chief's Vertical Solar + Wildflowers + Bees proposal

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