Representative Don Bacon, a moderate Republican, is expected to win a close re-election bid in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
The Associated Press predicted Friday that Bacon, a retired Army general who is running against Democratic state Rep. Tony Vargas, will win.
This race has become one of the most-watched races of the 2024 election cycle. This was a significant victory for House Republican leaders who are fighting to maintain their chamber majority.
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Congressman Don Bacon (left) faces off against Democratic Congressman Tony Vargas. (Getty Images)
As evidence of the district's competitive nature, Bacon and Vargas highlighted the bipartisan efforts in the final stages of the campaign.
Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District has the fewest Red House seats in the state. This includes all of Omaha and the city of Papillion, the state's largest city.
Bacon is one of 16 House Republicans who won seats in 2022 in areas that voted for President Biden in 2020, making it one of the most competitive races from the start.
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Bacon is one of 16 Republicans serving in fields won by President Biden in 2020. (Getty Images)
The moderate Republican has become known for speaking his mind, even when criticizing plans and measures imposed by fellow Republicans and the House Republican leadership.
He retired from the Air Force in 2014 as a brigadier general.
Bacon won the seat in 2016, defeating incumbent Democratic Congressman Brad Ashford by about 1 percentage point.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson (left) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are fighting for a majority in the House. (Getty Images)
In the next three elections, it remained in power with margins of around 2% or less.
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Mr. Vargas previously challenged Mr. Bacon in the 2022 midterm elections, losing by about 2.2 percentage points.
Vargas, a former teacher and Omaha Public Schools board member, joined the Nebraska State Assembly in 2017. Like Mr. Bacon, he won his seat by defeating an incumbent from the opposition.
