Republican to Retire as Democrats Eye Potential House Seat: Reports
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Nebraska Republican Representative Don Bacon is set to retire, according to numerous media outlets on Friday, setting the stage for Democrats to go all in on the competitive House seat.
Newsweek reached out to Bacon's office in Washington, D.C., via phone Friday night and left a voicemail.
Why It Matters
Republicans currently maintain a slim majority in the House of Representatives, after taking control of Congress, the Senate and the White House following the 2024 elections.
Bacon's decision not to run again underscores growing tensions and internal divisions within the Republican Party, particularly as moderates like Bacon have voiced concerns over the GOP's direction and the influence of its far-right faction.
With Democrats looking ahead to the midterms next year, on the heels of a presidential loss and amid their own party's uncertainty, the opening of Bacon's seat presents a key opportunity.
What To Know
According to several media outlets on Friday, Bacon will not seek reelection. Axios reports that he will make the announcement on Monday, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The news website based in Arlington, Virginia, also says, citing a source close to the issue, that Republicans have two potential contenders to fill Bacon's seat: Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson and former Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert.
Bacon has served Nebraska in Congress since 2017, winning multiple competitive races in the state's 2nd Congressional District, an area that has seen increasingly close contests between Republicans and Democrats in recent election cycles.
The district seat encompasses the city of Omaha, among others, and was won by both former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and ex-President Joe Biden in 2020.
Bacon has distinguished himself by criticizing both the far-right faction in the House and President Donald Trump. The Nebraska Republican has publicly opposed the president on key issues like questioning his tariff powers.
Margins this close in the House mean that any vacancy, particularly in a swing district like Bacon's, could significantly impact the party's legislative agenda and ability to pass bills.
Republican leadership, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, has emphasized the stakes, saying that this Congress represents a mandate handed down by Trump's decisive election win.
Punchbowl News was the first to report Bacon's impending plans.
GOP Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska arrives for a House Republican conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 6 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
GOP Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska arrives for a House Republican conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 6 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by)
What People Are Saying
Madison Andrus, spokeswoman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, in a statement on Friday: "The writing has been on the wall for months. Nebraskans are tired of the false promises that Republicans are trying to sell and they want real results."
Andrus added, "Don Bacon's decision to not seek reelection in 2026 is the latest vote of no-confidence for House Republicans and their electoral prospects. Next November, Nebraskans are going to elect a Democrat who will actually deliver for them."
What Happens Next
The contest to replace Bacon is expected to attract significant national attention and funding from both major parties. Democratic and Republican candidates are likely to contest the newly open seat in a high-profile, expensive race.
The official field of candidates will form over the coming months, ahead of the 2026 primary and general elections. Further leadership and committee shifts in the House may follow, as the composition of Congress changes with each new vacancy.
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