Embattled Republican considers retirement in 'blue dot' congressional district

LINCOLN — U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., confirmed Friday that he is considering retiring from Congress, although he is just coming off one of his best fundraising quarters.

Bacon told the Nebraska Examiner that the decision on whether to run for reelection next year will be a family decision, made this summer.

“I prayed a lot before deciding to run last cycle,” Bacon said. “I’m doing the same now.”

John Cavanaugh exploring bid

With the 2026 midterms only a year away, political groups from both sides of the aisle are pouring money and resources into Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District competitive seat. Bacon, who continues to be in the national spotlight as one of the few House Republicans to criticize the Trump administration, just had one of his best fundraising quarters. Now Bacon, 61, is poised to decide whether to pivot to private life.

State Democrats, who view Bacon’s seat as vulnerable, are still looking for a candidate. However, State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha confirmed to the Examiner that he’s exploring a possible run for Nebraska’s 2nd District, regardless of Bacon’s decision to run or not. The Omaha state senator said he had made calls to feel out a potential run last week.

When asked how the calls went, Cavanaugh said, “Everyone likes me.”

“I am deeply concerned about the failure of the Congress to protect the interests of the people of Nebraska,” Cavanaugh said. “The people of Nebraska deserve a strong voice in Washington.”

He emphasized that he hasn’t made an official decision about running and that he has no set timeline. The last Democratic-aligned state senator, Tony Vargas, who ran against Bacon, has failed twice to unseat him. A Nebraska Democratic Party spokesperson said the party is still in talks with ”strong candidates” for the congressional district, and it will be up to the candidate to determine the timing of an announcement.

“If I am that voice, I will run regardless of who else is running,” Cavanaugh said.

Drawing attention

A potential midterm race is becoming clearer after independent Dan Osborn focuses his effort on the U.S. Senate once again. The Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District has already drawn attention from state and national Democrats this year, with Democrats leading in-person town halls and spending media ad buys from multiple Democratic-aligned groups.

Bacon hauled in $910,000 in donations for the first quarter of fundraising for the year. A campaign spokesperson, Matthew Zacher, said Bacon is focused on ”governing and solving problems for his constituents.”

“This strong fundraising keeps all options open ahead of 2026,” Zacher said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee flaunted House Republicans’ fundraising efforts for the first quarter, including Bacon. An NRCC spokesperson said Bacon’s “massive fundraising haul underscores how fired up voters are to send him back to Congress.”

House Republicans who are considered in toss-up races have outpaced vulnerable House Democrats this fundraising cycle. Bacon’s fundraising is below the average of other Republicans considered to be in toss-up districts or learning Republican, according to Roll Call.

The average for those House Republicans was $977,000.

Bucked ‘blue dot’

The 2nd District saw roughly $21 million in spending from outside groups during the Bacon-Vargas 2024 race. The candidates raised a combined $10 million.

Bacon has fended off Democratic challengers in close races in previous years and has bucked the “blue dot” voting trend for Democrats in the last two presidential elections. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Bacon’s seat as a Republican toss up.

“Don and Angie will make a decision on seeking another term in the coming months,” Zacher said.

Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Aaron Sanderford for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com.