Republican Don Bacon has secured a fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Nebraska's 2nd District, after a closely contested race against Democratic state Sen. Tony Vargas. The election results were finalized nearly three days after the polls closed, with Bacon emerging victorious in the Omaha-based district.
Bacon acknowledged the district's political diversity, emphasizing the importance of split-ticket voters in his win. He expressed his commitment to serving the needs of both Republican and Democratic constituents, recognizing the balanced political landscape of the area.
Despite Bacon's declaration of victory, Vargas has not conceded the race, with approximately 15,000 ballots still awaiting counting in Douglas County. The ongoing tally has shown a slight advantage for Vargas, but not enough to overcome Bacon's lead of nearly 3 percentage points from Election Day.
The 2nd District, known for its moderate stance, saw both candidates striving to appeal to independent and third-party voters. Bacon highlighted his bipartisan approach, citing instances where he diverged from his party's stance to support initiatives like the 2021 infrastructure investment bill. Meanwhile, Vargas aimed to capitalize on the district's historical support for Democratic presidential candidates, though this did not translate into a victory for him.
Nebraska's unique electoral system, allowing for the splitting of Electoral College votes, played a role in the election dynamics. The district's electoral vote went to Vice President Kamala Harris, aligning with the state's tradition of occasionally supporting Democratic candidates in presidential elections.
The Douglas County Election Commission has been diligently processing remaining ballots, including early and provisional votes, with the aim of completing the count by November 18. The final certification of the election results is scheduled for November 21, marking the conclusion of a closely watched race in Nebraska's 2nd District.
