GOP’s Don Bacon Bows Out of 2026 Race Amid Trump Megabill Debate

Rep. Don Bacon, a prominent House GOP moderate from Nebraska’s battleground 2nd District, announced Monday he will not seek re-election in 2026, marking the end of a decade-long congressional career. Citing a desire to prioritize family, Bacon, a 30-year Air Force veteran, expressed gratitude to his constituents, saying, "It’s time to focus on my wife, four kids, and our grandchildren."

Bacon’s exit comes as Congress races to pass President Donald Trump’s ambitious "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" before the July 4 deadline. The bill, navigating the reconciliation process, aims to deliver tax cuts, immigration reform, and boosted energy production. While Bacon supported the bill last month, his reservations about proposed Medicaid cuts and other provisions highlight his independent streak. He notably opposed a White House rescission plan targeting an AIDS relief program and was the lone Republican to vote against permanently renaming the Gulf of America after Trump.

Standing with his family in Omaha, Bacon remained noncommittal on the latest Senate amendments to the megabill, stating, "I’ll keep my powder dry until I see the final version." His district, a Democratic target in 2026, leaned toward Kamala Harris by nearly five points in 2024, signaling a tough road ahead for Republicans.

Bacon’s tenure since 2017 has been defined by his willingness to challenge party lines, including his vocal support for Ukraine amid its conflict with Russia, despite clashing with Trump’s stance. As chair of the House Armed Services Committee’s Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee, he pledged to push for agricultural reforms and a new VA hospital in Omaha before his term ends.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee seized on Bacon’s departure, with spokesperson Madison Andrus calling it a "vote of no-confidence" in House Republicans. Bacon, however, remains focused on serving Nebraskans "until the lights go out."