Moderate U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., defeated his toughest primary challenge yet Tuesday night with 70.2% of the vote, beating a right-wing populist who had the support both from the Nebraska Republican Party and even from Bacon's own colleague in Congress. .
The election was a test of how much the wave of GOP populism has affected even Republican voters in areas that could become swing districts within six months.
Bacon's general election race will likely be among the most closely watched House elections in November as Democrats seek to wrest away the slim Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
The outspoken three-term lawmaker, whose district is anchored in Omaha, represents an area that President Biden won by more than 6% in 2020.
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Rep. Don Bacon fended off a primary challenge from his right flank and will advance to the November election. (Getty Images)
His opponent was businessman David Frei, who had the backing of the state Republican Party and Republican Party organizations in three Nebraska counties.
Frei also received a notable endorsement from House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, R-Va. Good has endorsed several rivals to his more moderate Republican counterparts currently serving in Congress.
Bacon's campaign was endorsed by more than 100 Nebraska officials at the federal, state and local levels, including the state's Republican senators and Governor Jim Pillen. He also had the support of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
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House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good endorsed Bacon's main rival. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
He now advances to face Nebraska state Sen. Tony Vargas, the Democrat whom he defeated by less than 3% in 2022.
Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, has shown himself more willing than many of his colleagues to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats, particularly on foreign aid. He also followed the lead of a significant number of Republican officials in endorsing Trump for re-election this year.
Bacon has also spoken out in his conference against Republican rebels who have deliberately paralyzed their own party's agenda in protest of the decisions of House leaders.
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Bacon has endorsed former President Trump for reelection (KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
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This has earned him both bipartisan praise and scorn from lawmakers and activists on his right flank.
He was ranked as the House's eighth-most bipartisan lawmaker in a new index released this week by Georgetown University's Lugar Center and McCourt School, including the House's fifth-most bipartisan Republican.
