Expert on likely Bacon-Vargas rematch: 'The pressure here is always on Don Bacon'
Rep. Don Bacon has thousands of dollars ready for the election cycle
Rep. Don Bacon has thousands of dollars ready for the election cycle
Rep. Don Bacon has thousands of dollars ready for the election cycle
The race for Congress looks like a rematch between two candidates in Nebraska's second congressional district.
State Sen. Tony Vargas announced his second bid Wednesday. An expert expects him to once again face incumbent Rep. Don Bacon, who has $623,000 in campaign funds ready for the election cycle.
"The pressure here is always on Don Bacon because he's the incumbent congressman, and he's supposed to do well," UNO political expert Randall Adkins said.
Adkins expects the presidential election year to bring out more voters than the 2022 Midterm.
"Those new voters are going to give both these candidates an opportunity to speak to some new audiences, so I think it's going to be at least as competitive as it was last time," Adkins said.
That likely means more TV advertising.
Vargas came out swinging against his opponent, focused on helping the middle class.
"There is no community in Nebraska's Second District that is going to be left unanswered," Vargas said. "We're going to talk to people in Sanders County and Sarpy."
Vargas lost to Rep. Bacon by about 6,000 votes but won more votes in Omaha and Douglas County.
"We're also a district that leans right," Rep. Bacon said. "They want a Republican that is pragmatic, that works across the aisle. I am that guy."
The incumbent congressman spoke about delivering a rebuilt Offutt Airforce Base and a modernized airport during a Fourth of July breakfast.
"There are so many good things that we're working on that will benefit this district for decades and decades to come," Rep. Bacon said.