WASHINGTON — Rep. Don Bacon, a centrist Republican who represents a key battleground district in Nebraska, is planning to announce his retirement from Congress, in line with two sources aware of the state of affairs.
He’s anticipated to make a proper announcement as quickly as subsequent week, when the Home is poised to vote on President Donald Trump’s sweeping laws dubbed the “Massive Stunning Invoice.”
Bacon didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Friday evening.
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Punchbowl Information first reported his retirement plans.
Bacon has represented the state’s 2nd Congressional District, which incorporates a lot of the Omaha metropolitan space, since 2017 when he defeated his Democratic opponent by lower than 5,000 votes. Since then, Bacon has saved the seat within the GOP column however solely narrowly emerged victorious in latest elections, together with final yr, when he gained by lower than 2 proportion factors.
Bacon’s departure will present Democrats a chance to choose up a seat in a district that has proven an urge for food for supporting Democratic candidates on the poll in latest elections.
Then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried the district by almost 5 proportion factors in 2024 — making Bacon one among simply three Home Republicans to serve in a district Harris gained. Joe Biden gained Bacon’s district by an excellent bigger margin in 2020.
Bacon has been among the many few vocal Republican critics of Trump’s agenda, sparring with the president at instances over his use of tariffs and resolution to rename the Gulf of Mexico, and accusing him of treating Russia with “velvet gloves.”
Together with his announcement, Bacon will be a part of almost half a dozen Republicans within the Home who’ve opted towards searching for re-election subsequent yr. 9 Home Democrats additionally will not be searching for re-election to their seats.
