In a move few saw coming, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) is expected to announce he won’t seek re-election—a decision that could open the door for Democrats to take back the House.
Bacon has held his Nebraska district for years, even as it’s leaned increasingly Democratic. His surprise exit could hand Democrats a real shot at flipping the seat—and possibly the entire chamber. As New York Times reporter Annie Karni put it, the “upcoming announcement… marked a major break for Democrats hoping to win control of the House next year.”
Right now, Republicans hold the House by just three seats. Losing even one swing district like Bacon’s could be enough to turn the tide.
And the numbers back it up. “Both former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and former Vice President Kamala Harris won [Bacon’s district] by more than four points,” Karni noted. That makes it one of the most vulnerable GOP-held seats on the map.
Democrats wasted no time seizing on the news.
“The writing has been on the wall for months,” said Madison Andrus, spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Don Bacon’s decision to not seek re-election in 2026 is the latest vote of no-confidence for House Republicans and their electoral prospects.”
Bacon has been one of the few Republicans to put distance between himself and Donald Trump. Now, with him stepping down, Republicans lose a moderate face—and possibly control of the House.
