In the battleground district of Omaha, Nebraska, Congressman Don Bacon is navigating a complex political landscape that exemplifies the tensions within the Republican Party, particularly concerning Donald Trump. Facing a challenging re-election bid, Bacon finds himself at a crossroads: he must distance himself from Trump to attract moderate and independent voters, while simultaneously hoping for increased Republican turnout in a district where Democrats are intensely campaigning. The stakes are high, as Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris is heavily investing resources to secure the district’s single electoral vote, opposing Trump’s relatively passive strategy in the area. Bacon views this dynamic as a significant hurdle, describing it as akin to “a 10- or 20-mile-an-hour headwind,” emphasizing his need to convert Harris voters while retaining his own base.
Despite his attempts at distancing from Trump, Bacon cannot avoid the former president’s shadow entirely. In various interactions, he has been pressed on his stance towards Trump, revealing a delicate balance in his responses. During a town hall in Valley, Bacon expressed support for Nikki Haley in the primaries while promptly acknowledging his apprehension toward Trump when asked about the peaceful transfer of power. This reflects his awareness of the electoral implications of aligning too closely with Trump, particularly since he narrowly won his previous races amidst significant resistance. Polling indicates that Trump is performing poorly in the district, even worse than his previous defeat, which poses an additional challenge for Bacon as he tries to maintain a competitive edge against his Democratic opponent, Tony Vargas.
The conundrum of Trump’s influence is not unique to Bacon, as several other moderate Republicans in regions carried by Biden face similar dilemmas, threatening their electoral viability. The situation is compounded for Bacon, given his electoral stakes that also influence the broader GOP majority outlook. Republican leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, are rallying support for Bacon, recognizing the importance of his district for Congressional control. Johnson, while less direct about urging Trump to invest more in the local race, has openly expressed support for Bacon, indicating an understanding of how crucial this race is for maintaining a GOP foothold in areas that lean Democrat.
Bacon’s political survival isn’t solely dependent on distancing himself from Trump; he must also navigate intra-party dynamics. Earlier signs of discontent in the party manifested in a primary challenge from a candidate aligned with the far-right, Dan Frei, who threatened to shift the party further from Bacon’s centrist views. The local party apparatus, having previously censured Bacon, contributes to this atmosphere of tension. Yet, Bacon believes that his constituents prefer a pragmatic Republican approach that favors governance over confrontational tactics, a sentiment bolstered by his assertion that “they don’t like assholes” in politics.
Local and state-level Republican organizations are working to unify their efforts leading into the November elections. While Trump’s campaign is not investing heavily in advertising in Bacon’s district, it is actively mobilizing grassroots efforts. Local party leaders express optimism that this door-to-door voter outreach could benefit Bacon, who needs all the electoral assistance he can gather amidst a spike in Democratic enthusiasm exemplified by recent yard sign campaigns. The sheer volume of spending and grassroots activity from the Harris campaign further emphasizes the urgent nature of the Republican struggle in this battleground seat.
As election day nears, Bacon’s strategy hinges on maintaining a centrist persona while addressing constituents’ concerns about Trump’s influence on his policies. While the Republican Party believes that Bacon can still win due to his historical performance in tough environments, Democrats perceive increased momentum on their side. Vargas seeks to leverage this situation by criticizing Bacon’s shift towards the Trump-infused GOP, framing it as a misalignment with the district’s values. Nevertheless, Bacon aims to distinguish himself through his bipartisan work, emphasizing local achievements and his military service. This dual focus represents his attempt to maximize voter turnout from Harris’ supporters while retaining loyalty from conservative constituents. Ultimately, while Trump’s performance in the district will heavily influence Bacon’s prospects, he remains committed to presenting himself as a viable candidate in a race that is far from straightforward.
