{"id":2341653,"date":"2024-09-16T07:07:02","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T11:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dueling-abortion-ballot-measures-at-center-of-battle-for-key-nebraska-district-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-16T07:13:56","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T11:13:56","slug":"dueling-abortion-ballot-measures-at-center-of-battle-for-key-nebraska-district-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dueling-abortion-ballot-measures-at-center-of-battle-for-key-nebraska-district-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Dueling abortion ballot measures at center of battle for key Nebraska district &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/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%2Fdueling-abortion-ballot-measures-at-center-of-battle-for-key-nebraska-district-washington-examiner%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=2341653&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>The\u2062 article discusses the competitive political\u2062 landscape in Nebraska&#8217;s 2nd Congressional\u200c District, focusing on its pivotal role in the upcoming elections, including the\u200b presidential race, the House \u200dof Representatives contest, and two significant abortion ballot measures. <\/p>\n<p>Nebraska is\u200b unique as it awards electoral votes\u200c based on congressional districts, making the \u20622nd District a critical swing area. \u200cDespite being predominantly \u200bRepublican in past \u200delections, it has leaned Democratic at times and could be crucial in determining the\u200c winner of the presidential race between Donald Trump and \u200bKamala Harris. Polls indicate a\u2064 slight lead for Harris in the district.<\/p>\n<p>The House\u200c race features a rematch between incumbent \u200bRepublican Rep. Don\u200c Bacon\u200c and Democratic state Sen. Tony \u200dVargas. This race is expected to be\u200c competitive, with current\u200d polls \u2062showing mixed \u2063results. <\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the district\u2062 will see two contrasting abortion measures on the ballot: \u2063one aims to allow abortion up to viability, while the other seeks to uphold a 12-week abortion ban with specific exceptions. The outcome of these measures could significantly influence voter turnout and candidates&#8217; fortunes, as abortion has become a central issue for many Democrats since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Both Vargas and Harris have prominently included abortion in their\u2064 campaigns, underscoring its significance in this election cycle.  <\/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<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Dueling abortion ballot measures at center of battle for key Nebraska district<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1760320\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nebraska\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"races\">Nebraska<\/a> is not a traditional swing state, but the state&rsquo;s 2nd Congressional District could be one of the most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/poll-republican-voters-lose-confidence-in-mcconnell-overwhelmingly-support-president-trump\/\" title=\"Poll: Republican voters lose confidence in McConnell, overwhelmingly support President Trump\">hotly contested races<\/a> to decide the fate of three pivotal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"races\">races<\/a> in November.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The race for the White House, control of the House of Representatives, and determination over <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abortion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"abortion\">abortion<\/a> law in Nebraska will be heavily dependent on the critical congressional district dominated by Omaha, the Cornhusker State&rsquo;s most populous city. Here is how the three battles will intertwine on Nov. 5.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Presidential race<\/h2>\n<p>Nebraska is one of two states that award its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nebraska-dems-look-to-turn-local-wins-into-split-electoral-college-vote-in-2024\/\" title=\"Nebraska Democrats aim to secure a split Electoral College vote in 2024 through local victories.\">electoral votes based<\/a> on congressional districts, the other state being Maine. The state&rsquo;s 1st and 3rd districts, along with the two at<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/four-states-where-biden-is-trying-to-run-ahead-of-his-polling-with-abortion-on-the-ballot\/\" title=\"Four states where Biden aims to outperform polls by focusing on abortion issues\">-large electoral votes<\/a>, are widely considered safely Republican, but the 2nd District has been seen as a true swing district that could tip the election.<\/p>\n<p>Republicans have largely won all of Nebraska, including the 2nd District, in recent elections, but in 2008 and 2020, the district went for Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden, respectively. The 2nd District has an &ldquo;even&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/four-battle-to-win-new-colorado-congressional-district-gop-primary\/\" title=\"Four Battle to Win New Colorado Congressional District GOP Primary\">partisan voting index<\/a>, according to the <em>Cook Political Report<\/em>, and is rated as &ldquo;lean Democrat&rdquo; in the presidential race.<\/p>\n<p>Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are engaged in a tight race nationally, and the district&rsquo;s vote in November could plunge the presidential race into chaos under the right circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>If Trump wins the swing states in the Sun Belt: Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina, but Harris wins the Rust Belt states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, then the swing Nebraska district could be the difference between a Harris win and a tie in the Electoral College.<\/p>\n<p>Another scenario, in which Trump wins Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Nevada while Harris wins Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, could see the district be the tipping point between a Trump win and a tie in the Electoral College.<\/p>\n<p>If there is a 269-269 tie in the Electoral College, the House of Representatives would vote for the president, and the Senate would vote for the vice president. In the House vote, each state delegation would get one vote, meaning Trump would likely win due to Republicans appearing unlikely to lose their advantage with state delegations in the lower chamber of Congress.<\/p>\n<p>Neither Trump nor Harris has visited the swing Nebraska district since being formally nominated, but their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/harris-and-trump-campaigns-kick-into-high-gear-after-walz-vp-pick-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Harris and Trump campaigns kick into high gear after Walz VP pick - Washington Examiner\">respective running mates<\/a>, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), have campaigned there in August.<\/p>\n<p>Harris holds a lead in the district in recent polls, with a SurveyUSA-Split Ticket <a href=\"https:\/\/split-ticket.org\/2024\/08\/31\/we-polled-nebraska-and-its-second-district-heres-what-we-found\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"survey\">survey<\/a> from late last month showing her leading Trump 47%-42%.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">House race<\/h2>\n<p>The race between incumbent Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Democratic state Sen. Tony Vargas is a rematch of the 2022 election in the Cornhusker State&rsquo;s 2nd District, and it is again expected to be tight.<\/p>\n<p>Bacon was first elected to the seat in 2016, unseating a Democratic incumbent at the time, and has faced tight elections in each subsequent election. Despite a &ldquo;blue wave&rdquo; year in 2018 and Biden winning the district in the presidential election in 2020, Bacon survived both years and won a fourth term in 2022 by fewer than 6,000 votes.<\/p>\n<p>Vargas is trying to unseat Bacon after being unsuccessful in 2022. He becomes the second candidate to try and beat Bacon on a second try after Democrat Kara Eastman failed to oust Bacon in both 2018 and 2020. Rematches in House races tend to have mixed results in recent years, and Vargas joins several other 2022 losers who are trying again in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>The race is considered a &ldquo;toss-up&rdquo; by the <em>Cook Political Report<\/em>, which recently shifted the rating from &ldquo;lean Republican.&rdquo; The outlet cited Harris&rsquo;s advantage over Trump in the presidential contest in the district&rsquo;s polls as reason for listing it as a toss-up.<\/p>\n<p>Recent polls for the contest have been a mixed bag, with the SurveyUSA-Split Ticket poll from August showing Vargas leading Bacon 46%-40%, while a Remington Research Group <a href=\"https:\/\/nebraskaexaminer.com\/2024\/08\/20\/harris-leads-trump-in-new-nebraska-2nd-district-poll\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"poll\">poll<\/a>, also conducted last month, showed Bacon leading Vargas 46%-44%.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dueling abortion measures<\/h2>\n<p>Both of the two key races for political office in the district will play into the battle between two dueling abortion ballot initiatives. <\/p>\n<p>In several states across the country, abortion will be on the ballot, with various measures asking if voters would support enshrining abortion through viability &mdash; with exceptions that some activists argue are loose. Nebraska voters will consider a ballot measure using that language, but unlike those other states, voters will also consider a measure that would enshrine the state&rsquo;s 12-week abortion ban that provides exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.<\/p>\n<p>The state has said that if both measures receive a majority, the threshold required to pass a ballot measure in the state, then the initiative with more votes would go into law. <\/p>\n<p>Abortion has been a key issue for Democrats, especially since the Supreme Court&rsquo;s 2022 ruling in <em>Dobbs v. Jackson Women&rsquo;s Health Organization<\/em>, which overturned <em>Roe v. Wade<\/em> and returned abortion lawmaking back to the states. Democrats have consistently seen wins on abortion, even in heavily Republican states, but this is the first time since <em>Dobbs<\/em> that two competing abortion measures will share the ballot statewide.<\/p>\n<p>Harris and Vargas have both made abortion a big part of their campaigns, with Vargas calling to &ldquo;codify the protections earned from the <em>Roe v. Wade<\/em> decision into federal law.&rdquo; During her debate against Trump, Harris was asked if she would support any restrictions on abortion, but she did not directly answer the question.<\/p>\n<p>Trump has deferred on most abortion questions, calling it a state issue, but he did say that as a Florida voter, he would be voting against Amendment 4 in the Sunshine State, which says it would enshrine abortion through viability.<\/p>\n<p>Bacon does not tout abortion as one of the key issues on his campaign site, but he does tout his endorsements from the Nebraska Right to Life and his &ldquo;A&rdquo; rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. Both of those groups have endorsed the ballot measure seeking to enshrine the 12-week abortion ban.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The 12-week ban is polling ahead of the measure allowing abortion through viability, with the SurveyUSA-Split Ticket poll showing the initiative through viability winning 45%-35% and the 12-week ban winning 56%-29%.<\/p>\n<p>Abortion, a less significant issue in 2020, is expected to have a significant effect in 2024, but whether Nebraska&rsquo;s 2nd District helps break the streak of GOP losses tied to the matter will be seen on Nov. 5.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1760320\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1760320\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>**Conflicting Abortion Ballot Initiatives at the Heart of a Crucial Nebraska District**<\/p>\n<p>While Nebraska is not typically viewed as a swing state, its 2nd Congressional District is poised to be a fiercely contested battleground that could influence three significant races in November. The outcomes of the presidential election, control of the House of Representatives, and abortion legislation in Nebraska will hinge on this vital district centered around Omaha, the state&#8217;s largest city. Here&#8217;s how these three contests will intersect on November 5.<\/p>\n<p>**Presidential Election**<\/p>\n<p>Nebraska is one of only two states that allocate its electoral votes by congressional district, with Maine being the other. The 1st and 3rd districts are generally considered safe for Republicans, but the 2nd District has emerged as a genuine swing area capable of swaying election results. Although Republicans have dominated statewide elections recently\u2014including in this district\u2014both Barack Obama in 2008 and Joe Biden in 2020 managed to win here. According to the Cook Political Report, this district has an &#8220;even&#8221; partisan voting index and leans Democratic for presidential elections.<\/p>\n<p>The national race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is closely contested; thus, how voters from this swing district cast their ballots could significantly impact the overall outcome. If Trump secures victories in Sun Belt states like Arizona and Georgia while Harris wins Rust Belt states such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, then Nebraska&#8217;s pivotal votes might determine whether Harris wins or if there\u2019s an Electoral College tie. Conversely, if Trump takes Wisconsin while Harris claims Arizona, then again it could tip either way based on this district&#8217;s results.<\/p>\n<p>In case of a tie (269-269) in Electoral College votes, Congress would elect both president (by House vote) and vice president (by Senate vote), where each state delegation casts one vote\u2014likely favoring Trump due to Republican dominance among state delegations.<\/p>\n<p>Neither candidate has campaigned directly within this crucial Nebraska district since their nominations; however, their running mates\u2014Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) for Trump and Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) for Harris\u2014have made appearances there recently. Current polling indicates that Harris holds an edge over Trump within the district.<\/p>\n<p>**House Race**<\/p>\n<p>The contest between incumbent Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) and Democratic State Senator Tony Vargas marks a rematch from their previous face-off during the last election cycle\u2014and it\u2019s expected to be competitive once more. Bacon first won his seat by defeating a Democratic incumbent back in 2016 but has faced close races ever since\u2014even surviving during what was deemed a &#8220;blue wave&#8221; year when Democrats performed strongly nationwide.<\/p>\n<p>Vargas aims to unseat Bacon after narrowly losing previously; he becomes part of a trend where several candidates who lost bids last time are attempting again next year\u2014a pattern seen with other recent rematches yielding mixed outcomes historically.<\/p>\n<p>The Cook Political Report currently classifies this race as a &#8220;toss-up,&#8221; having shifted its rating from \u201clean Republican\u201d due largely to favorable polling numbers for Harris over Trump affecting local dynamics. Recent surveys show Vargas leading Bacon slightly while another poll suggests Bacon holds onto his lead by just two points.<\/p>\n<p>**Abortion Measures**<\/p>\n<p>Both key political races within this congressional district are intertwined with competing abortion ballot initiatives set for voter consideration alongside them on Election Day. Across various states nationwide\u2014including Nebraska\u2014voters will decide whether they support measures aimed at codifying abortion rights up until viability with certain exceptions deemed lenient by some activists.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast to other states&#8217; proposals focusing solely on viability protections, Nebraskans will also weigh an initiative seeking affirmation of existing laws banning abortions after twelve weeks\u2014with allowances made only under specific circumstances like rape or threats against maternal health should both measures receive majority support according to state law provisions governing ballot initiatives\u2019 passage criteria based upon total votes received rather than simple majority thresholds alone per measure type respectively outlined therein accordingly too!<\/p>\n<p>Since last year&#8217;s Supreme Court ruling overturned Roe v Wade returning authority over abortion legislation back into individual states\u2019 hands\u2014the issue remains paramount among Democrats who have consistently found success advocating reproductive rights even amid traditionally conservative regions across America including those areas previously thought resistant towards such progressive stances historically speaking too! <\/p>\n<p>Both Vargas &amp; Harris have emphasized reproductive rights heavily throughout their campaigns: Vargas pledging efforts aimed at enshrining protections established under Roe v Wade into federal law whilst responding evasively regarding potential restrictions posed during debates surrounding these topics publicly discussed openly amongst constituents alike! <\/p>\n<p>Bacon does not prioritize discussing abortion prominently within campaign messaging yet boasts endorsements from pro-life organizations supporting restrictive policies aligned closely alongside those backing proposed twelve-week bans currently gaining traction locally evidenced through recent polling data indicating strong public sentiment favoring said limitations compared against broader viability-based frameworks being pushed elsewhere nationally instead! <\/p>\n<p>As we approach November\u2019s elections\u2014the significance surrounding these issues cannot be overstated given heightened awareness surrounding reproductive freedoms likely influencing voter turnout patterns across demographics involved therein ultimately shaping future legislative landscapes moving forward beyond immediate electoral cycles themselves too!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2341654,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/nebraska-abortion-election.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4310,37720,14648],"class_list":["post-2341653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-abortion","tag-ballot-measures","tag-nebraska"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/nebraska-abortion-election.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2341653","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\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2341653"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2341653\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2341654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2341653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2341653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2341653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}