Key GOP retirement boosts Democrats’ chance of taking back the House
Representative Don Bacon, one of the few moderate Republicans in the Chamber, announced on Monday that he would not present himself to re -election. This decision opens one of the most vulnerable battle seats in the party just before the mid-term elections in 2026.
For five mandates, the 61 -year -old bacon represented the 2nd district of Nebraska, which is often called “blue pointIn the Republican Nebraska reliably, because it focuses on Omaha and its increasingly liberal voters.
“I think it’s time for a new republican to be your candidate who can make 12, 14 hours a day and hold this seat,” said Bacon press conference at Omaha airport. “It is disconcerting to be attacked from the right.”
Although Bacon thinks he could win another race, he cited family reasons like his main motivation. He wants more time at home with his eight grandchildren, he said.
The issues are high. Democrats only need a handle Microphones to take over the house, and it was already on their list. THE Cook Political Report calls it a “republican draw”.
The Bacon district has been a swing seat for many years. And a democrat won him Three recent presidential races: Barack Obama in 2008, Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.
The city’s atmosphere also changes. This year, voters ousted The long -standing republican mayor Jean Stothert and the democrat elected John Ewing. Democrats have already entered The Congress Course, including the State Senator John Cavanaugh, son of the former representative John J. Cavanaugh III, who occupied the siege in the late 1970s and in the early 1980s.
Bacon’s announcement comes after another major GOP retirement: Senator Thom Tillis from Caroline du Nord. Tillis said last weekend He will not ask for re -election, citing cuts proposed by President Donald Trump and health care. Bacon and Tillis plan to serve their conditions.
Although the headquarters of Tillis can be a slightly longer shot, the Democrats are very optimistic about the reversal of the Bacon seat. After all, the president’s party Usually loses ground halfway through. Trump did it in 2018 and the Democrats hope to repeat this in 2026.
Bacon’s decision was not a surprise. A Air Force retirement officerhe is Expressed for a long time Frustration with Washington Gridlock – and with his party right change. In recent campaigns, he underlined his bipartite file, including the vote For the Biden 2021 infrastructure package. In 2024, he closely secure re -electionWith just over 50% of votes.
However, being a loyalist of Trump has consequences in republican circles. Bacon critical The policy of the former president of Ukraine, pushed to come back Pricing powers at Congress, and Skepticism expressed About “One Big Beautiful Bill” by Trump. The Republican Party of Nebraska Approved a main challenger against him in cycle 2024.
Now, the leaders of the GOP rush to defend a key battlefield, without holder and a small majority in the room.
THE Card 2026 I became more complicated.
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