Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), a key moderate in the House, announced that he will not seek re-election. The congressman has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump.
“After consultation with my family and much prayer, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2026 and will fulfill my term in the 119th Congress through January 2, 2027,” Bacon said in a statement. “After three decades in the Air Force and now going on one decade in Congress, I look forward to coming home in the evenings and being with my wife and seeing more of our adult children and eight grandchildren, who all live near my home. I’ve been married for 41 years, and I’d like to dedicate more time to my family, my church, and the Omaha community. I also want to continue advocating for a strong national security strategy and a strong alliance system with countries that share our love of democracy, free markets and the rule of law.”
Bacon has suggested that political differences within the Republican Party are linked to his exit. He explained earlier this year during a roundtable with business leaders that “it’s one thing when you have the opposing party fighting you, but when you have divisions in your own party, you know — it makes it harder,” ABC News reported.
The Democratic Party seeks to benefit from Bacon’s forthcoming retirement.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) spokesperson Madison Andrus said the congressman’s decision not to seek re-election 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.”
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has also declared he will not seek re-election.
