LINCOLN — The Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District has been targeted with new political ads as part of national efforts by multiple Democratic-aligned groups that see Nebraska’s most purple district as a potential flip seat for the midterms.

The multiple billboards, TV spots and social media ad buys in Republican U.S. Rep Don Bacon’s district are from two progressive groups, the arm of House Democrats and the Democratic National Committee, all of which follow similar themes: emphasizing billionaire Elon Musk and his U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team’s efforts to cut federal programs and end some federal agencies.

Anti-Bacon billboards and ads from VoteVets, 314 Action, House Majority Forward and the DNC are a part of larger national efforts targeting “vulnerable” House Republican seats across the country.

Race Typically Close

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Bacon’s seat as a Republican toss-up. He has won the slightly right-leaning 2nd District five times despite its recent blue tilt in presidential races. The 2nd District voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 and former President Joe Biden in 2020 after voting for President Donald Trump in 2016, and Mitt Romney in 2012. It backed then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in 2008.

“Musk’s DOGE Firing thousands of veterans [and] prices are skyrocketing…What is Don Bacon doing about it? Nothing.” a VoteVets billboard will read, the group said in a release.

The Trump administration has fired roughly 6,000 veterans as part of its efforts to reduce the federal workforce, Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee said last month.

Bacon released a statement last month saying the Trump Administration and DOGE are “fulfilling his promise to the American people to trim waste in government.” However, Bacon’s tone seemed to have changed slightly last week when talking to reporters, as he expressed concerns about DOGE’s axe approach.

“​​I told the White House, ‘Do the audit. Put the spotlight on spending,’” Bacon told reporters. “‘But we need to think carefully before we fire somebody.’”

National Attention And Money Flow

The Omaha-based district has seen much attention from state and national Democrats already this year — with two townhalls — one with Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who launched his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour in the state last month, and most recently with former Democratic vice presidential nominee and current Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and the Nebraska Democratic Party.

The Walz event followed Bacon’s announcement this month that he would hold a tele-town hall later this month. Congressional Republicans are being told by party leaders not to hold in-person town halls after angry crowds confronted some in the House GOP.

The 2nd District saw roughly $21 million in spending from outside groups during Bacon’s 2024 reelection bid, when he beat then-State Sen Tony Vargas of Omaha. The 314 Action Fund spent $284,033 in the 2024 congressional election. The candidates raised roughly $10 million combined.

DNC officials said the billboard ad buy in Omaha complements national efforts to pressure Republicans on town halls, as it’s time for “Republicans to stand up” and hear from constituents about “their unpopular agenda.”

“Rep. Don Bacon refuses to meet with his constituents after voting to take away health care and make it harder for families to put food on the table,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said.

Bacon Responds

Bacon, in a Tuesday post on X called the past campaign blitz “money down the drain.”

“We know far-left groups like MoveOn and Indivisible are organizing much of this, Bacon told the Examiner. “They have little credibility with most of us.”

A National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson said the new blitz is Democrats running the “same playbook of resorting to shameless fear-mongering and outright lies because they have nothing else to offer the American people.”

“This disgusting, pathetic attempt won’t distract voters from the fact that Democrats can’t sell their failing message or detract from Don Bacon’s record of wins for Nebraskans,” said Zach Bannon of the NRCC.

State Democratic Party officials have said they would announce a 2nd District candidate soon. Also, populist registered nonpartisan Dan Osborn has expressed some interest in the race.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/03/19/democratic-groups-continue-focus...