LINCOLN- The newest question for the 2022 congressional race in District 2 is, who will challenge Rep. Don Bacon? There are just as many candidates passing on challenging Bacon as there are willing to go up against the three-term incumbent. Last year's challenger, Kara Eastman, has decided to pass on this upcoming race. Other local names such as Sen. Megan Hunt, John Ewing Jr. and Crystal Rhoades have also said they will not be running.
State Sen. Tony Vargas, though, is considering a run. Vargas is a native New Yorker and currently serves South Omaha in the Legislature. Princess McKesson, the first woman and first woman of color to cast a state electoral vote for a Democrat, is also seriously considering a run. McKesson serves as the finance director for the Nebraska Democratic Party and vows to serve the people, not a party. The executive director for the Nebraska Republican Party tagged Vargas as "the most liberal member of our state's Legislature". The American Conservative Union has given Vargas its worst ranking among the 49 members of the Legislature.
The 2nd District in Omaha remains one of the most competitive districts in the country as both parties are well-funded and are evenly split in voters. Rep. Bacon says both Vargas and McKesson are 'too far left of center' for the 2nd District. “I’d look forward to running against either one of them,” Bacon said.