Nebraska Examiner: Potential Bacon vs. Vargas rematch stirs heavy House fundraising in Nebraska
OMAHA — A possible rematch of Nebraska’s closest congressional race appears poised to be competitive again on the airwaves, too, based on summer fundraising numbers.
U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., running for a fifth term, raised $532,000 in the third quarter. That tally pushed his campaign’s cash on hand to $1.06 million.
State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, a Democrat who is seeking another try at unseating Bacon, raised $871,000 from July through September, a record for a Nebraska House race in off-year fundraising. He has $752,000 in cash on hand.
Each candidate raised and spent more than $3.3 million during their 2022 matchup, according to OpenSecrets.org, which tracks House campaign spending. Outside groups spent another $11 million on the 2022 race.
Vargas’ donor list is a Democratic who’s who, including Douglas County Board member Maureen Boyle, NU Regent Barb Weitz, former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey and State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln.
U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb., speaks at a campaign event in Sarpy County on Nov. 2. Gov. Pete Ricketts (left) and Rep. Don Bacon joined him. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)
His campaign has spent $172,000 since rejoining the race this quarter, mostly on consultants and fundraising.
“I am thrilled to have such a strong start to our campaign and humbled to have support from Nebraskans … making it clear that they are ready for strong, principled leadership,” Vargas said.
In 2022, Bacon beat Vargas by less than 3 percentage points, in the first election after redistricting replaced some purpling suburbs in Bacon’s home county of Sarpy with rural Saunders County, which leans more Republican.
Vargas’ campaign and other Democrats contend that the political environment in the Omaha area’s 2nd District, which supported President Joe Biden in 2020, could help Democrats in 2024.
It is unclear whether Vargas or Bacon will face primary challengers. Former President Donald Trump’s team tried to recruit a GOP challenger to Bacon this cycle and last. None has filed this time.