{"id":2242307,"date":"2024-05-11T09:40:05","date_gmt":"2024-05-11T13:40:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nebraska-primary-election-swing-congressional-seat-creating-headaches-for-trump\/"},"modified":"2024-05-11T09:43:43","modified_gmt":"2024-05-11T13:43:43","slug":"nebraska-primary-election-swing-congressional-seat-creating-headaches-for-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nebraska-primary-election-swing-congressional-seat-creating-headaches-for-trump\/","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska Primary Election: Trump Faces Challenge in Swing Congressional Seat"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnebraska-primary-election-swing-congressional-seat-creating-headaches-for-trump%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2242307&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Tuesday&#8217;s Nebraska primaries, crucial\u200b for 2024, focus on the 2nd Congressional District. Rep. Bacon faces\u2062 a \u2062tight race, impacting the \u200dpresidential election. \u2062Biden won here in 2020, prompting discussions on electoral \u200drules. Efforts to change\u2063 to a winner-take-all system failed,\u200b leaving Biden&#8217;s chances open. The district may sway \u200bthe election, drawing attention from \u200bTrump\u2063 and Republicans. The Nebraska primaries on Tuesday are pivotal for\u200d the 2024 election, particularly in the\u2062 2nd Congressional\u2063 District. Rep. Bacon&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-sen-tom-cotton-moderate-democrats-is-code-for-vulnerable-democrats\/\" title=\"Exclusive \u2014 Sen. Tom Cotton: 'Moderate Democrats' Is Code for 'Vulnerable Democrats'\">closely contested race<\/a> could influence the\u2062 presidential outcome. Biden&#8217;s 2020 victory sparks debate on\u200d electoral regulations. Despite unsuccessful attempts to shift\u200d to a\u200c winner-take-all scheme, Biden&#8217;s prospects remain\u200d uncertain. \u2064This district\u2064 holds the power to tip the election, attracting scrutiny from Trump and the GOP.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Tuesday marks <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nebraska\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Nebraska<\/a>\u2018s congressional and presidential primaries, and one <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-of-representatives\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>House<\/a> seat could decide the presidential <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>2024 election<\/a> thanks to the state\u2019s delegate rules.<\/p>\n<p>Eyes will be on the 2nd Congressional District, represented by Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), who is likely to face a Democratic opponent he defeated narrowly by less than 6,000 votes in 2022. Nebraska\u2019s 2nd District could be the lynchpin for deciding whether former President <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Donald Trump<\/a> or President <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Joe Biden<\/a> wins in November, a fact that pushed Republicans to try and alter the way <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/electoral-college\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Electoral College<\/a> votes are allocated.<\/p>\n<p>Nebraska is one of two states, the other being Maine, that awards electoral delegates proportionally. In 2020, Biden won one of Nebraska\u2019s five electoral votes \u2014 despite the state typically voting Republican in presidential elections \u2014 because he got the most votes in Bacon\u2019s 2nd District. <\/p>\n<p>A month before Tuesday\u2019s primary, Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) began pushing the state legislature to move forward with a <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/electoral-votes-nebraska-maine-3dc4b2f6cd59e3eb52ddc9ed15cf33e1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\" winner-take-all system>\u201cwinner-take-all\u201d system<\/a>, backing efforts from Republican state lawmakers and Trump allies like Turning Point USA\u2019s Charlie Kirk to try and remove any chance of Biden claiming a delegate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt would bring Nebraska into line with 48 of our fellow states, better reflect the founders\u2019 intent, and ensure our state speaks with one unified voice in presidential elections,\u201d Gov. Jim Pillen said in April. \u201cI call upon fellow Republicans in the Legislature to pass this bill to my desk so I can sign it into law.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The reason? The 2nd District\u2019s delegates could be the votes that help push Biden over the finish line in the event of a tie between him and Trump. Polling shows that this presidential election will likely come down to a handful of votes, making Trump allies worried that even a Republican stronghold like Nebraska could produce a Democratic candidate in the end.<\/p>\n<p>Trump himself supported Pillen\u2019s efforts, praising the \u201cvery smart and popular Governor\u201d for endorsing the winner-take-all system.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMost Nebraskans have wanted to go back to this system for a very long time, because it\u2019s what 48 other States do \u2014 It\u2019s what the Founders intended, and it\u2019s right for Nebraska,\u201d Trump <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/112204756443508099\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"said\">said<\/a> on Truth Social at the time. \u201cThank you Governor for your bold leadership. Let\u2019s hope the Senate does the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, legislators <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2024\/04\/04\/us\/politics\/nebraska-winner-take-all-trump.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>overwhelmingly declined to change the system<\/a>, meaning that two electoral votes are awarded to the statewide winner and the vote winner in each of the state\u2019s three congressional districts is awarded one vote. The 2nd District, being the solid red state\u2019s only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/book-obama-enamored-with-beto-orourke-skeptical-of-joe-biden-in-2020-democratic-primary\/\" title=\"Book: Obama \u2018Enamored\u2019 with Beto O\u2019Rourke, Skeptical of Joe Biden in 2020 Democratic Primary\">swing district<\/a>, could choose to vote for Biden again in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Bacon himself supports the winner-take-all system, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/mkraju\/status\/1777889863456411750?s=46&#038;t=-Fryv-WUcoW_Mg1M5zBACQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>telling<\/a> CNN in April that he thinks it \u201cundermines the influence of Nebraska.\u201d He, along with Pillen, has <a href=\"https:\/\/nebraskaexaminer.com\/briefs\/ricketts-bacon-endorse-trump-as-presumptive-gop-nominee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>endorsed Trump<\/a> in the 2024 election.<\/p>\n<p>Nebraska Republicans had floated a special session to revive debate on the winner-take-all system. The unique unicameral, technically nonpartisan, legislature ended its session on April 18, but many lawmakers are expecting to <a href=\"https:\/\/nebraskaexaminer.com\/2024\/04\/18\/nebraska-lawmakers-adjourn-but-break-will-be-short-lived-as-special-session-looms-this-summer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>make a return<\/a> later this year for a special session, per the <em>Nebraska Examiner<\/em>. Whether the winner-take-all system will be adopted during that session before the November election is unlikely but possible, depending on the date.<\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., a Republican moderate, talks to reporters as he arrives to the Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (AP Photo\/Jose Luis Magana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Bacon likely to face a familiar foe in November<\/h2>\n<p>Bacon is favored to win his GOP primary Tuesday against businessman Dan Frei. In a swing district consisting of Omaha that has been held by Bacon since 2016, appealing to both red and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/five-out-of-seven-new-seats-went-to-red-states-why-we-shouldnt-celebrate-yet\/\" title=\"Five Out Of Seven New Seats Went To \u2018Red States\u2019: Why We Shouldn\u2019t Celebrate\u2026 Yet\">blue voters<\/a> is key.<\/p>\n<p>He is not afraid to admonish his hardline colleagues, particularly those in the Freedom Caucus, a coalition he has said does not accurately represent the Republican Party. Frei, if elected, <a href=\"https:\/\/nebraskaexaminer.com\/2024\/01\/27\/dan-frei-says-he-will-pursue-freedom-caucus-label-in-gop-primary-bid-against-rep-don-bacon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>told<\/a> to the <em>Nebraska Examiner<\/em> that he would join it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think where we\u2019re really different is our temperament. I believe in being a happy warrior,\u201d Bacon <a href=\"https:\/\/nebraskapublicmedia.org\/en\/news\/news-articles\/results-for-the-district-2-primary-election-could-redefine-an-urban-nebraska-republican\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>said<\/a> to Nebraska Public Media about the differences between him and Frei. \u201cI know you get more with a smile and enthusiasm than anger.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Bacon has the endorsement of Pillen and other GOP leaders. However, Frei, who is running a populist-type campaign, nabbed endorsements from the Douglas County GOP and the Nebraska Republican Party itself \u2014 marking the first time in that <a href=\"https:\/\/nebraskaexaminer.com\/2024\/01\/27\/nebraska-gop-fight-with-delegation-spills-over-into-its-endorsements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>none of the five members <\/a>of Nebraska\u2019s all-GOP delegation received an endorsement from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mitch-mcconnells-betrayal-hurts-the-nation-goodwin\/\" title=\"Mitch McConnell\u2019s betrayal hurts the nation\">state party<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Though there have been <a href=\"https:\/\/omaha.com\/news\/local\/government-politics\/don-bacon-fighting-off-maga-challenger-in-gop-primary-for-omahas-2nd-congressional-district\/article_06e597ba-0b48-11ef-83fa-73b60d305ed0.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>no <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/netanyahu-blasts-claims-that-ap-reporters-were-lucky-to-get-out-of-building-it-wasnt-luck\/\" title=\"Netanyahu Blasts Claims That AP Reporters Were \u2018Lucky\u2019 To Get Out Of Building: \u2018It Wasn\u2019t Luck\u2019\">public polls<\/a><\/a>, per the <em>Omaha World-Herald<\/em>, Bacon said his campaign has conducted internal polls showing him leading by 50 points. Frei has lost before, after running an unsuccessful campaign against then-Rep. Lee Terry Jr. in 2014. <\/p>\n<p>Terry went on to lose the general election to former Rep. Brad Ashford, marking the first time since 1992 that a Democrat won the 2nd District. Bacon unseated Ashford in 2016 and has held the seat ever since.<\/p>\n<p>If Bacon defeats Frei, he will go on to face Democratic state Sen. Tony Vargas, who is running unopposed in the primary. Vargas lost to Bacon by a slim margin of 51%-49%, or less than 6,000 votes, in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>A February internal Vargas <a href=\"https:\/\/nebraskaexaminer.com\/2024\/03\/29\/vargas-poll-shows-another-tight-u-s-house-race-with-bacon-in-nebraskas-2nd-district\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>poll<\/a> shared with the <em>Nebraska Examiner <\/em>found that Vargas led Bacon, 46% to 43% among 2nd District voters \u2014 aligning with ratings from Inside Elections and Crystal Ball that Bacon\u2019s race is set to be one of the most competitive in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>Bacon told the outlet in March that Democratic polls have shown him trailing in every race but he is still winning and serving as congressman.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is like clockwork,\u201d Bacon said. \u201cAnd every time, the actual election results don\u2019t match their polling. Their polling is intentionally skewed to the left.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> reached out to Bacon for comment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nebraska&#8217;s crucial primaries on Tuesday could sway the 2024 presidential election, with focus on the 2nd Congressional District. Incumbent Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) faces a close rematch with a Democratic challenger after a narrow victory in 2022, making this race pivotal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2648,"featured_media":2242308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP23297507457735-2-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2242307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/AP23297507457735-2-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2242307","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2648"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2242307"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2242307\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2242308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2242307"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2242307"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2242307"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}