Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District will run against Democratic challenger Kara Eastman in the November election.
Bacon easily beat out Republican challenger Paul Anderson in Tuesday’s primary election, with about 90% of the vote. Eastman won about 61% of the vote against fellow Democrats Ann Ashford, with about 32% of votes, and Gladys Harrison with about 6%. (See most up-to-date results on the Secretary of State website.)
The November ballot is a rematch for Bacon and Eastman, who ran against each other in the district two years ago. Bacon won by fewer than 5,000 votes.
Bacon says he’s encouraged by high turnout among Republicans this year, but says he won’t take his foot off the gas: "We’re going to have to work as hard as we can, because this is a purple district."
Eastman said she learned a lot from the 2018 campaign — and says a lot has happened in the two years Bacon has been in office.
"People now see that he’s not looking out for them," Eastman said. "He’s simply looking out for his party; he’s looking out for special interests."
Bacon says he’s proven his ability to reach across the aisle. He cites a top-30 ranking in the Lugar Center Bipartisan Index, which ranks Congressional members based on bill sponsorships and co-sponsorships outside their party.
Both candidates point to the struggling economy amid the coronavirus pandemic as one of the most critical issues this election. Bacon says the race is about trust.
"The question is going to be, who do you trust to get our economy restored where it was at before the COVID virus: myself or someone with a very far left, way out views?"
Eastman points to the more than 100,000 Nebraskans who have filed for unemployment benefits, saying many also lost health insurance.
"I’ve had so many people reach out to me and say un-tethering healthcare from employment seems very sane, rational."
Bacon and Eastman will also face Tyler Schaeffer, who ran unopposed in the Libertarian primary.
More election news: netNebraska.org/campaignconnection2020