Nebraska U.S. Rep. Don Bacon and national Republicans scoff at Dem candidates for 2026

Source: Nebraska Examiner

Bacon also reaffirmed his summer timeline for deciding to run or not, saying he will decide "thoughtfully"
By: Juan Salinas II - May 1, 2025 6:33 pm

LINCOLN -- On the same day Denise Powell announced she is running in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb, said Nebraska Democrats had learned nothing.

"They keep running extraordinarily left-wing candidates in Omaha," Bacon told the Nebraska Examiner. "If you want to win in Nebraska [2nd District], you've got to run a more centrist candidate."

Bacon also reaffirmed his summer timeline for deciding to run or not, saying he will decide "thoughtfully." He spoke during a monthly news conference with reporters about the reasons he is considering retiring from Congress. Among them: spending more time with his family and the dysfunction in his own GOP, which he said is wearing on him.

"It's one thing to fight the other party, but when you have fights in your own party, the enjoyment factor is not the same," Bacon said. "It's become a blood sport."


U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., prepares for a debate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District against State Sen. Tony Vargas, a Democrat, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Read more: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/05/01/nebraska-u-s-rep-don-bacon-and-national-republicans-scoff-at-dem-candidates-for-2026/

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The DCCC calls this race one of the most important races in the country. So does the Cook Political Report. The DU raised $$43,745 for this seat in 2024. It is the blue dot in a red map district.

Omaha, Nebraska's So-Called Blue Dot, Goes for Harris
Nov 6, 2024 -- Voters delivered the one electoral vote up for grabs in Nebraska to Vice President Kamala Harris, according to The Associated Press, a Democratic victory.

Also see: https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143450917 and https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143447833