Overview

• On June 30, Rep. Don Bacon announced he will complete his term through January 2027 but not seek reelection in 2026, citing family priorities and growing dysfunction in Washington.
• His retirement creates an open contest in Nebraska’s 2nd District, which voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 and has trended Democratic with the recent election of Omaha’s new mayor.
• Democrats state Sen. John Cavanaugh and consultant Denise Powell have already declared bids, while Omaha City Council Vice President Brinker Harding became the first Republican to enter the race on July 1.
• National campaign committees have identified NE-02 as a top target, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee vowing to flip the seat and the National Republican Congressional Committee mobilizing resources to defend it.
• Cook Political Report shifted the district from a toss-up to lean Democrat, underscoring its pivotal role in determining control of the closely divided House.