Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, emerged victorious in the primary election against his challenger, setting up a competitive general election in the state’s swing district. The outcome of this election could have implications for the 2024 presidential race.
The Associated Press declared Bacon the winner of the 2nd Congressional District’s race, with 70.2% of the vote, while his competitor, businessman Dan Frei, received 29.8%. This was Frei’s second attempt at a congressional seat in Nebraska. Bacon, along with the other members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation, ran without the endorsement of the state Republican Party, but this did not seem to affect the results of the primary election.
Bacon will now face Democratic state Sen. Tony Vargas in the general election in November. The 2nd District is seen as crucial for the 2024 presidential race, given that Nebraska is one of two states that award electoral delegates proportionally. In the 2020 election, Biden won the most votes in Bacon’s district and secured one of Nebraska’s electoral votes, despite the state’s typically Republican voting history.
There was a push by allies of former President Trump to switch to a “winner-take-all” system in Nebraska, but this was unsuccessful. The current system awards two electoral votes to the statewide winner and one vote to the winner in each congressional district. This system could potentially benefit Biden in a close election, causing concern for Trump and his supporters that even traditionally Republican states like Nebraska may sway towards the Democratic candidate.
