Rep. Don Bacon Announces His Retirement From House, Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2026

Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., announced Monday that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.

The Nebraska Republican has served since 2017, representing the state’s 2nd Congressional District, a battleground seat that has drawn national attention, as reported by Fox News.

“After 30 years in the Air Force and 10 years in Congress, it’s time to spend my future with the love of my life, our four kids, and our wonderful grandchildren. Thank you, Nebraska!” Bacon wrote in a statement posted Monday morning.

When we started this journey in 2015, we had one grandchild. Today, Angie and I are blessed to have eight grandchildren. After 30 years in the Air Force and 10 years in Congress, it’s time to spend my future with the love of my life, our four kids, and our wonderful… pic.twitter.com/1OT11kB6oz

— Don Bacon ✈️ ️ ⭐️ ️ (@DonJBacon) June 30, 2025

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Bacon made the announcement while appearing with his family in Omaha.

The decision comes as Congress works to finalize President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping legislative package aimed at delivering on key 2024 campaign promises including tax relief, immigration enforcement, and energy reform.

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A vote on the Senate’s version of the bill is expected this week.

While Bacon has voted with Republicans on major items, he has also been known to break with his party on key issues.

He previously expressed concern over proposed Medicaid changes and was the only Republican to vote against a House bill to permanently rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

Bacon also said he would oppose the administration’s rescission proposal if it impacted AIDS relief funding.

“I think the Senate has done some new provisions in there that are concerning,” Bacon told reporters when asked how he plans to vote on the final version of the megabill.

“But there’s a lot of amendments being voted out today. So I’m going to keep my powder dry, see how it turns out.”

Bacon’s departure marks the loss of another moderate voice in the Republican conference. His announcement follows a similar decision from Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who announced on Sunday that he will not seek re-election either.

Tillis also voted against a procedural measure on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act over the weekend.

Bacon narrowly won re-election in 2024 by under two percentage points. His district, which includes Omaha, was carried by former Vice President Kamala Harris by nearly five points in the same cycle.

Nebraska is one of two states that allocate Electoral College votes by congressional district, making Bacon’s seat a high-priority target for Democrats.

Reacting to the news, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Madison Andrus said, “The writing has been on the wall for months. Don Bacon’s decision to not seek re-election in 2026 is the latest vote of no-confidence for House Republicans and their electoral prospects.”

Bacon chairs the House Armed Services Committee’s Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee.

He pledged to continue working on legislation, including provisions related to the Farm Bill and the National Defense Authorization Act, as well as ongoing efforts to secure funding for a new VA hospital in Omaha.

“I aim to work to get five agricultural bills passed,” Bacon stated, “including the increase of defenses for our nation’s food supply chain and removing barriers for the next generation of farmers.”

He also said he hopes to dedicate more time to his family, church, and the Omaha community once he leaves office.

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