Don Bacon

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Don Bacon
Image of Don Bacon

Candidate, U.S. House Nebraska District 2

U.S. House Nebraska District 2
Tenure

2017 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

7

Predecessor

Compensation

Base salary

$174,000

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 8, 2022

Next election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Illinois University, 1984

Graduate

University of Phoenix National War College

Contact

Don Bacon (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2017. His current term ends on January 3, 2025.

Bacon (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024. He advanced from the Republican primary on May 14, 2024.

Prior to his election to the U.S. House, Bacon served in the U.S. Air Force from 1985 to 2014. He retired as a Brigadier General. During his service, Bacon was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merits, and two Bronze Stars.[1]

Biography

Email [email protected] to notify us of updates to this biography.

Bacon served as an assistant professor at Bellevue University, where he taught courses on leadership and American values (The Kirkpatrick Signature Series). He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a political science degree in 1984. He also earned master's degrees from both the University of Phoenix and National War College. In 1985, Bacon joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 29.5 years. He retired as a Brigadier General. During his service, Bacon focused on cyber warfare and intelligence and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merits, and two Bronze Stars. In 2009, he was selected as Europe’s top Air Force Wing Commander. Bacon also worked for Congressman Jeff Fortenberry as his military advisor.[2]

Bacon and his wife, Angie, married in 1984 and have four children.[2]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Bacon's academic, professional, and political career:[3]

  • 2017-Present: U.S. Representative from Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District
  • 2014-2017: Assistant professor, University of Bellevue
  • 2014-2015: Staff, United States Representative Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska
  • 1985-2014: United States Air Force
  • 2004: Graduated from the National War College with an M.A.
  • 1996: Graduated from the University of Phoenix with an M.B.A.
  • 1984: Graduated from Northern Illinois University with a B.A.

2024 battleground election

See also: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024

Ballotpedia identified the November 5, 2024, general election as a battleground race. The summary below is from our coverage of this election, found here. Incumbent Don Bacon (R) and Tony Vargas (D) are running in the general election for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District on November 5, 2024. The election is a rematch from 2022, when Bacon defeated Vargas 51.3% to 48.7%.

Nebraska is one of two states that awards a portion of its electoral votes to its three congressional districts. This means that this year's 2nd Congressional District election will result in an electoral vote being awarded to one of the presidential candidates. Since 1991, Democrats won the 2nd District's electoral vote twice: Barack Obama (2008) and Joe Biden (2020).[4] The Guardian wrote that it was “not difficult to imagine a scenario in which the [presidential] race does come down to the urbanized and relatively diverse district spread across three counties on Nebraska’s eastern flank.”[5]

Bacon was first elected in 2016. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1985 to 2014, retiring as a brigadier general. His campaign is focused on his rating as the most effective Republican in Congress, decreasing the cost of living, and protecting the southern border. According to the most recent campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Bacon has raised $4.3 million and spent $2.1 million.

Vargas was elected to the Nebraska Senate in 2016. He served on the Omaha Public Schools board and was a public school teacher. His campaign is focused on legal access to abortion, the economy, and increasing education access. According to the most recent campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Vargas has raised $3.6 million and spent $1.1 million.

Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District is one of 34 congressional districts with a Republican incumbent or an open seat the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is targeting in 2024. The major independent election forecasters rate the general election as Lean Republican and Toss-Up.

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2023-2024

Bacon was assigned to the following committees:[Source]

2021-2022

Bacon was assigned to the following committees:[Source]

2019-2020

Bacon was assigned to the following committees:[Source]

2017-2018

At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Bacon was assigned to the following committees:[6]

Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023

The 118th United States Congress began on January 3, 2023, at which point Republicans held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-212), and Democrats held the majority in the U.S. Senate (51-49). Joe Biden (D) was the president and Kamala Harris (D) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023
Vote Bill and description Status
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (310-118)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (227-201)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (217-215)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (328-86)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (225-204)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (219-200)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (229-197)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (314-117)
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) (216-212)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (216-210)
Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) (220-209)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (221-212)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (311-114)


Key votes: Previous sessions of Congress

Elections

2024

See also: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024

Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (May 14 Republican primary)

Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024 (May 14 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Incumbent Don Bacon and Tony Vargas are running in the general election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Don_Bacon_official_congressional_photo.jpg
Don Bacon (R)
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Tony_Vargas_portrait.jpg
Tony Vargas (D)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Tony Vargas advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 14, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Tony_Vargas_portrait.jpg
Tony Vargas
 
100.0
 
39,038

Total votes: 39,038
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Incumbent Don Bacon defeated Dan Frei in the Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 14, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Don_Bacon_official_congressional_photo.jpg
Don Bacon
 
62.0
 
35,748
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/DanFrei2024.jpeg
Dan Frei Candidate Connection
 
38.0
 
21,946

Total votes: 57,694
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls

We provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. We will regularly check for polling aggregation for this race from those sites and add polls here once available. To notify us of polls available on either outlet for this race, please email us.


Election campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Don Bacon Republican Party $4,343,931 $2,142,826 $2,215,340 As of June 30, 2024
Tony Vargas Democratic Party $3,571,299 $1,100,605 $2,524,082 As of June 30, 2024

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2024. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.

Satellite spending

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[103][104][105]

If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.

By candidate By election

Race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[106]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[107][108][109]

Race ratings: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2024
Race trackerRace ratings
August 6, 2024July 30, 2024July 23, 2024July 16, 2024
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean RepublicanLean Republican
Decision Desk HQ and The HillToss-upToss-upToss-upToss-up
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesTilt RepublicanTilt RepublicanTilt RepublicanTilt Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallToss-upToss-upToss-upToss-up
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2022

See also: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Incumbent Don Bacon defeated Tony Vargas in the general election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Don_Bacon_official_congressional_photo.jpg
Don Bacon (R)
 
51.3
 
112,663
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Tony_Vargas_portrait.jpg
Tony Vargas (D)
 
48.7
 
106,807

Total votes: 219,470
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Tony Vargas defeated Alisha Shelton in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 10, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Tony_Vargas_portrait.jpg
Tony Vargas
 
68.6
 
31,930
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/image0-1.jpg
Alisha Shelton
 
31.4
 
14,585

Total votes: 46,515
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Incumbent Don Bacon defeated Steve Kuehl in the Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 10, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Don_Bacon_official_congressional_photo.jpg
Don Bacon
 
77.1
 
53,824
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Steve-Kuehl.PNG
Steve Kuehl Candidate Connection
 
22.9
 
15,945

Total votes: 69,769
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020

Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (May 12 Republican primary)

Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (May 12 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Incumbent Don Bacon defeated Kara Eastman and Tyler Schaeffer in the general election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Don_Bacon_official_congressional_photo.jpg
Don Bacon (R)
 
50.8
 
171,071
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Kara_Eastman.jpg
Kara Eastman (D)
 
46.2
 
155,706
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Tyler Schaeffer (L)
 
3.0
 
10,185

Total votes: 336,962
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Kara Eastman defeated Ann Ashford and Gladys Harrison in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 12, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Kara_Eastman.jpg
Kara Eastman
 
62.2
 
45,953
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Ann_Ashford.png
Ann Ashford
 
31.2
 
23,059
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Gladys Harrison
 
6.7
 
4,920

Total votes: 73,932
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Incumbent Don Bacon defeated Paul Anderson in the Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 12, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Don_Bacon_official_congressional_photo.jpg
Don Bacon
 
90.6
 
68,531
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Paul Anderson
 
9.4
 
7,106

Total votes: 75,637
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Tyler Schaeffer advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 12, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Tyler Schaeffer
 
100.0
 
964

Total votes: 964
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.


2018

See also: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2018
See also: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election (May 15, 2018 Democratic primary)
See also: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election (May 15, 2018 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Incumbent Don Bacon defeated Kara Eastman in the general election for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Don_Bacon_official_congressional_photo.jpg
Don Bacon (R)
 
51.0
 
126,715
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Kara_Eastman.jpg
Kara Eastman (D) Candidate Connection
 
49.0
 
121,770

Total votes: 248,485
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Kara Eastman defeated Brad Ashford in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Kara_Eastman.jpg
Kara Eastman Candidate Connection
 
51.6
 
21,357
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Ashford.jpg
Brad Ashford
 
48.4
 
19,998

Total votes: 41,355
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2

Incumbent Don Bacon advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Nebraska District 2 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Don_Bacon_official_congressional_photo.jpg
Don Bacon
 
100.0
 
33,852

Total votes: 33,852
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election, 2016

Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District was a battleground district in 2016. Don Bacon (R) defeated Democratic incumbent Brad Ashford and Steven Laird (L) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Bacon defeated Chip Maxwell to win the Republican primary, while Laird defeated Andy Shambaugh and Jeffrey Lynn Stein to win the Libertarian nomination. The primary elections took place on May 10, 2016.[110][111]

U.S. House, Nebraska District 2 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDon Bacon 48.9% 141,066
     Democratic Brad Ashford Incumbent 47.7% 137,602
     Libertarian Steven Laird 3.3% 9,640
Total Votes 288,308
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State


U.S. House, Nebraska District 2 Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngDon Bacon 66% 32,328
Chip Maxwell 34% 16,677
Total Votes 49,005
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State
U.S. House, Nebraska District 2 Libertarian Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngSteven Laird 46.2% 108
Andy Shambaugh 38% 89
Jeffrey Lynn Stein 15.8% 37
Total Votes 234
Source: Nebraska Secretary of State

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Don Bacon has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Don Bacon asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Don Bacon, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 18,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Don Bacon to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing [email protected].

Twitter

Email


Campaign ads

July 18, 2024
July 11, 2024
June 5, 2024

View more ads here:


2022

Don Bacon did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Don Bacon did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

As of October 30, 2020, Bacon's campaign website did not contain a section detailing campaign themes.[112]

His website RealBaconRecord.com featured videos discussing healthcare.

Bacon said upon filing for re-election in January 2020, "The 2020 election will have lasting repercussions for our district, state, and nation. ... I believe we can work together to find solutions to the issues we all care about, like lowering healthcare costs, strengthening our national security against growing threats, and reforming immigration. We share the same priorities, and our team has a great track record of success. I'm grateful for the chance to represent this district again."[113]


2018

Campaign website

Bacon's campaign website stated the following:

Check out a few of the bills Don has sponsored, co-sponsored, and voted for during his first year in office. Don is working hard and keeping his promises to Nebraskans.

Standing up for Law Enforcement:
HR1970 Kerrie Orozco Act, Original Sponsor
HR115 Thin Blue Line Act
HR 5698 Protect and Serve Act of 2018
HR 6105 LEOSA Reform Act, Original Sponsor
HR 4896 LEOSA Training Extension Act, Original Sponsor

Reforming Immigration:
HR 3697 Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act
HR 3004 Kate’s Law, Co-Sponsor
HR 3003 No Sanctuary for Criminals Act
HR 60 ENLIST Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 300 Sarah’s Law, Co-Sponsor
HR 6136 Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018, Co-Sponsor

Working for Veterans and our Servicemembers:
S 1094 Department of Veteran’s Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act
HR 1181 Veteran’s 2nd Amendment Protection Act
HR 1259 VA Accountability First Act
HR 2810 NDAA
HR 367 Hearing Protection Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 512 WINGMAN Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 3897 Gold Star Family Support and Installation Act of 2017, Original Sponsor
HR 5553 Loya-Sears Warrior Transition Assistance Reform Act of 2018, Original Sponsor
HR 5038 Reserve Component Benefits Parity Act of 2018, Co-Sponsor
HR 6281 Veterans FAIR Act of 2018, Co-Sponsor
HR 5671 Burn Pits Accountability Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 5528 SWORDD Act of 2018, Original Sponsor
HR 5482 Military Biodefense Readiness and Protection Act of 2018, Original Sponsor

Fixing our Healthcare:
HR 1628 AHCA
HR 173 Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 2113 Speeding Access to Already Approved Pharmaceuticals Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 749 Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 5247 Right to Try Act
HR 849 Protecting Seniors Access to Medicare Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 3922 CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act
HR 5329 Poison Center Network Enhancement Act of 2018, Co-Sponsor

Cutting Red Tape:
HR 10 Financial CHOICE Act
HR 953 Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017
HR 998 Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessary and Burdensome Act
HR 26 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 4607 Comprehensive Regulatory Review Act

Defending the Unborn:
HR 7 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 37 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 490 Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 644 Conscience Protection Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 4712 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, Co-Sponsor

Supporting Small Businesses:
HR 2350 Small Business Know-Before-You-Bid Construction Transparency Act, Original Sponsor
HR 1700 SCORE for Small Business Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 2056 Microloan Modernization Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 4754 Change Order Transparency for Federal Contractors Act, Original Sponsor
HR 3441 Save Local Business Act

Draining the Swamp:
HR 2665 HR 2665 Accountability for Congressional Pay Act, Original Sponsor
HJ Res 1 Proposing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution of the US, Co-Sponsor
HJ Res 6 Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of the US to Limit the Number of Terms that a Member of Congress May Serve, Co-Sponsor
HR 24 Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 1786 Congressional Halt in Pay Increases and Cut Congressional Pay Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 4734 Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act of 2017, Co-Sponsor
HR 4852 Pay Our Protectors Not Our Politicians Act of 2018, Co-Sponsor

Strengthening Our Security:
HR 5079 DHS Field Engagement Accountability Act, Original Sponsor
HR 5733 DHS Industrial Control Systems Capabilities Enhancement Act of 2018, Original Sponsor
HR 5869 Maritime Border Security Review Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 5517 Enhance Cybersecurity for Small Manufacturers Act of 2018, Co-Sponsor
HR 5074 DHS Cyber Incident Response Teams Act of 2018, Co-Sponsor
HR 5731 Securing Our Schools Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 5522 Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Readiness Act of 2018, Original Sponsor

Increasing Prosperity for All:
HR 1 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
HR 4886 Permanent Tax Cuts for Americans Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 4780 Transparency for Taxpayers Act, Co-Sponsor
HR 5924 Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2018, Co-Sponsor
HR 5282 Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act of 2018, Co-Sponsor

2016

The following issues were listed on Bacon's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.

  • Don will be a proactive leader in the fight to win the war on terror: We need to defeat ISIS with assertive leadership, our superior airpower, and special forces. Iraq and other regional partners should be the lead with ground forces. Our regional partners will do this with strong American leadership, and it is clear that leading from behind will not get the job done. The current policy is allowing Iran to be the dominant power in Iraq. We are barely containing ISIS, and this is a recipe for future disaster.
  • Don supports a strong national defense: I believe in peace through strength. Our military combat capability has been reduced by two-thirds since I gave my first oath back in 1985, but yet we maintain worldwide commitments, which is stretching us to the breaking point. The military budget has been reduced by 15 percent in last 6 years, and the sequester cuts fell in an unbalanced way on the military. We need to retool our military with the latest technology, reduce the massive headquarters’ staffs, and reform our acquisition processes.
  • Don is pro-life and will defend traditional family values: I’m 100% pro-life, endorsed by Nebraska Right to Life, and committed to support policies that protect the unborn and build a culture of life across our nation and the world. There are practical policy positions that members of both parties can find consensus on and immediately address in Congress. I strongly support the 5-month abortion ban and prohibiting abortion when a fetus feels pain.
  • Don is committed to reducing taxes and simplifying the tax code: We need a simpler, flatter tax code that has lower rates with fewer deductions. Everyone knows that 73,000 pages of tax law is ridiculous, and it undermines our competitiveness. Furthermore, since government at all levels spends 42 cents on every dollar earned in this country, it is clear that we have a spending problem. Therefore, I’m committed to not raising your taxes.
  • Don will repeal Obamacare and work to reduce health-care costs with free market solutions: Individuals and families should have more options and be the primary voice with their own healthcare. The primary government authority should be at the state level, and not the federal government. States can then create market-based solutions and better respond to their citizens’ needs. The one size fits all, cookie cutter approach from Washington, D.C. will fail our nation when it comes to healthcare.

[114]

—Don Bacon's campaign website, http://www.donbacon2016.com/issues/

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable candidate endorsements by Don Bacon
EndorseeElectionStageOutcome
Donald Trump  source  (R) President of the United States (2024) PrimaryAdvanced in Convention
Chris Walker  source  (R) U.S. House West Virginia District 2 (2024) PrimaryLost Primary

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Don Bacon campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* U.S. House Nebraska District 2On the Ballot general$4,343,931 $2,142,826
2022U.S. House Nebraska District 2Won general$3,919,223 $3,990,001
2020U.S. House Nebraska District 2Won general$3,790,455 $3,755,144
2018U.S. House Nebraska District 2Won general$2,619,424 $2,600,432
2016U.S. House, Nebraska District 2Won $1,479,353 N/A**
Grand total$16,152,384 $12,488,402
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only availabale data.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Don Bacon 2018 campaign website, “About,” accessed January 31, 2019
  2. 2.0 2.1 Don Bacon, "Biography," accessed November 19, 2015
  3. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "BACON, Donald J., (1963 - )," accessed January 11, 2017
  4. The Washington Post, "Democrats look to Nebraska to shore up Biden’s blue wall," February 15, 2024
  5. The Guardian, "This Nebraska congressional district could be the key to the presidential election," July 7, 2024
  6. U.S. House Clerk, ""Official Alphabetical List of the House of Representatives of the United States One Hundred Fifteenth Congress,"" accessed February 2, 2017
  7. Congress.gov, "H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024," accessed February 23, 2024
  8. Congress.gov, "H.R.185 - To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers, and for other purposes." accessed February 23, 2024
  9. Congress.gov, "H.R.2811 - Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024
  10. Congress.gov, "H.Con.Res.9 - Denouncing the horrors of socialism." accessed February 23, 2024
  11. Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - Lower Energy Costs Act," accessed February 23, 2024
  12. Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.30 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to 'Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights'." accessed February 23, 2024
  13. Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.7 - Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020." accessed February 23, 2024
  14. Congress.gov, "H.R.3746 - Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023," accessed February 23, 2024
  15. Congress.gov, "Roll Call 20," accessed February 23, 2024
  16. Congress.gov, "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant.," accessed February 23, 2024
  17. Congress.gov, "Roll Call 527," accessed February 23, 2024
  18. Congress.gov, "H.Res.757 - Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant." accessed February 23, 2024
  19. Congress.gov, "H.Res.878 - Providing for the expulsion of Representative George Santos from the United States House of Representatives." accessed February 23, 2024
  20. Congress.gov, "H.R.3684 - Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act," accessed April 15, 2022
  21. Congress.gov, "H.R.1319 - American Rescue Plan Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  22. Congress.gov, "H.R.5376 - Inflation Reduction Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
  23. Congress.gov, "H.R.3617 - Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  24. Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  25. Congress.gov, "H.R.1808 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
  26. Congress.gov, "S.1605 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022," accessed April 15, 2022
  27. Congress.gov, "H.R.7776 - James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
  28. Congress.gov, "H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  29. Congress.gov, "S.3373 - Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
  30. Congress.gov, "H.R.4346 - Chips and Science Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  31. Congress.gov, "H.R.3755 - Women's Health Protection Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  32. Congress.gov, "H.R.1996 - SAFE Banking Act of 2021," accessed April 15, 2022
  33. Congress.gov, "H.R.2471 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022," accessed January 20, 2023
  34. Congress.gov, "H.R.5 - Equality Act," accessed April 15, 2022
  35. Congress.gov, "H.R.8404 - Respect for Marriage Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  36. Congress.gov, "H.R.6833 - Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
  37. Congress.gov, "H.R.7688 - Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  38. Congress.gov, "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021," accessed January 20, 2023
  39. Congress.gov, "H.R.5746 - Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  40. Congress.gov, "S.2938 - Bipartisan Safer Communities Act," accessed January 20, 2023
  41. Congress.gov, "H.Res.24 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.," accessed April 15, 2022
  42. Congress.gov, "H.R.2617 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023," accessed January 20, 2023
  43. Congress.gov, "H.R.1044 - Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2020," accessed March 22, 2024
  44. Congress.gov, "H.R.6800 - The Heroes Act," accessed April 23, 2024
  45. Congress.gov, "H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2019," accessed April 23, 2024
  46. Congress.gov, "H.R.748 - CARES Act," accessed April 23, 2024
  47. Congress.gov, "H.R.5 - Equality Act," accessed April 23, 2024
  48. Congress.gov, "H.R.8 - Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019," accessed April 23, 2024
  49. Congress.gov, "H.R.6 - American Dream and Promise Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
  50. Congress.gov, "S.1790 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020," accessed April 27, 2024
  51. Congress.gov, "H.R.6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act," accessed April 24, 2024
  52. Congress.gov, "H.R.1994 - Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
  53. Congress.gov, "H.R.3 - Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act," accessed March 22, 2024
  54. Congress.gov, "H.R.1865 - Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020," accessed April 27, 2024
  55. Congress.gov, "S.1838 - Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
  56. Congress.gov, "H.R.3884 - MORE Act of 2020," accessed April 27, 2024
  57. Congress.gov, "H.R.6074 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020," accessed April 27, 2024
  58. Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.31 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
  59. Congress.gov, "S.47 - John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act," accessed April 27, 2024
  60. Congress.gov, "H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021," accessed April 27, 2024
  61. Congress.gov, "H.R.6395 - William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021," accessed April 27, 2024
  62. Congress.gov, "S.24 - Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019," accessed April 27, 2024
  63. Congress.gov, "H.Res.755 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors," accessed April 27, 2024
  64. Congress.gov, "H.Res.755 - Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors," accessed April 27, 2024
  65. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed December 13, 2018
  66. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 284," June 21, 2018
  67. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 282," June 21, 2018
  68. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed March 12, 2019
  69. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 549," October 3, 2017
  70. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 344," June 29, 2017
  71. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 342," June 29, 2017
  72. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 256," May 4, 2017
  73. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 405," September 26, 2018
  74. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 399," September 13, 2018
  75. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 313," June 28, 2018
  76. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 257," June 8, 2018
  77. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 216," May 22, 2018
  78. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 127," March 22, 2018
  79. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 69," February 9, 2018
  80. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 60," February 6, 2018
  81. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 44," January 22, 2018
  82. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 33," January 18, 2018
  83. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 708," December 21, 2017
  84. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 692," December 19, 2017
  85. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 670," December 7, 2017
  86. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 637," November 16, 2017
  87. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 589," October 26, 2017
  88. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 557," October 5, 2017
  89. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 528," September 14, 2017
  90. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 480," September 8, 2017
  91. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 441," September 6, 2017
  92. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 299," June 8, 2017
  93. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 249," May 3, 2017
  94. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 230," May 24, 2018
  95. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 49," January 30, 2018
  96. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 631," November 14, 2017
  97. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 435," July 27, 2017
  98. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 413," July 25, 2017
  99. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 437," July 28, 2017
  100. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 407," July 24, 2017
  101. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 378," July 14, 2017
  102. Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 136," March 8, 2017
  103. OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
  104. OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
  105. National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
  106. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  107. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  108. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  109. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  110. Nebraska Secretary of State, "Statewide Candidate List," March 2, 2016
  111. The New York Times, "Nebraska Primary Results," May 10, 2016
  112. Don Bacon's 2020 campaign website, "Home," accessed September 30, 2020
  113. WOWT, "Don Bacon files for re-election," January 29, 2020
  114. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Political offices
Preceded by
Brad Ashford (D)
U.S. House Nebraska District 2
2017-Present
Succeeded by
-


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
Don Bacon (R)
District 3
Republican Party (5)