Omaha State Senator Tony Vargas said Wednesday he will make another run for Nebraska’s Second District Congressional seat. “(Voters) want somebody that’s going to go to D.C. and not turn into a typical politician,” said Vargas in an exclusive interview with KETV NewsWatch 7’s Waverle Monroe.”One of the things we heard from this last election is they want somebody new,” said Vargas. “We were one of the closest elections in the country but what really resonated is the conversations we had at the doors.”In 2022, Vargas lost to incumbent Republican Don Bacon by 5,856 votes. In Douglas County, Vargas topped Bacon by 4,692 votes, but Bacon held western Sarpy County and Saunders County to give him the edge in hotly-contested Nebraska District 2.The announcement sets-up a possible rematch between the Democratic State Senator and the Republican incumbent Don Bacon should both candidates win their respective primaries.Vargas says he’ll campaign again on help for the middle class. “Inflation is still making it hard for people,” said Vargas. “Housing hasn’t been affordable enough. These issues that affect people have not been solved by our current Congressman and they are not being solved by our current Congress. So we need to make sure we’re showing up for Americans.Vargas is in the final year of his second term as an Omaha State Senator. In 2023, he supported a $40 million proposal to develop housing in urban and real areas, but Governor Jim Pillen vetoed the funding.With the balance of power so close in the U.S. Congress, Nebraska’s Second Congressional district will again attract national attention in 2024. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is convinced it can flip the seat from Republican to Democratic.In 2022, groups spent more than $10 million in support of either Vargas or Bacon, and the two candidates raised more than $7 million themselves for their campaigns.Don Bacon’s campaign already has $623,000 in campaign funds ready for the next election cycle.In an interview Tuesday, Congressman Bacon said Vargas is too liberal to represent Nebraska’s District 2 residents.”We’re going to run on a record of success and effectiveness,” said Bacon. “We’re also in a district that leans right. They want a republican that is pragmatic that works across the aisle I am that guy… Tony Vargas is not that guy.”Bacon says he’s proud of his efforts to find common ground in Congress and he will r un on his record of success and effectiveness. The retired brigadier general says his military experience also makes him a better choice.”I served 30 years, I’m on the Armed Services Committee so I put a lot of my emphasis on ensuring that we have a military that could deter Russia and deter China,” said Bacon. “I don’t think anybody in Congress can really bring this kind of expertise to the table like I do. I feel our district likes that.”Watch the 2022 debate between Bacon and Vargas:
Omaha State Senator Tony Vargas said Wednesday he will make another run for Nebraska’s Second District Congressional seat.
“(Voters) want somebody that’s going to go to D.C. and not turn into a typical politician,” said Vargas in an exclusive interview with KETV NewsWatch 7’s Waverle Monroe.
“One of the things we heard from this last election is they want somebody new,” said Vargas. “We were one of the closest elections in the country but what really resonated is the conversations we had at the doors.”
In 2022, Vargas lost to incumbent Republican Don Bacon by 5,856 votes. In Douglas County, Vargas topped Bacon by 4,692 votes, but Bacon held western Sarpy County and Saunders County to give him the edge in hotly-contested Nebraska District 2.
The announcement sets-up a possible rematch between the Democratic State Senator and the Republican incumbent Don Bacon should both candidates win their respective primaries.
Vargas says he’ll campaign again on help for the middle class.
“Inflation is still making it hard for people,” said Vargas. “Housing hasn’t been affordable enough. These issues that affect people have not been solved by our current Congressman and they are not being solved by our current Congress. So we need to make sure we’re showing up for Americans.
Vargas is in the final year of his second term as an Omaha State Senator. In 2023, he supported a $40 million proposal to develop housing in urban and real areas, but Governor Jim Pillen vetoed the funding.
With the balance of power so close in the U.S. Congress, Nebraska’s Second Congressional district will again attract national attention in 2024. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is convinced it can flip the seat from Republican to Democratic.
In 2022, groups spent more than $10 million in support of either Vargas or Bacon, and the two candidates raised more than $7 million themselves for their campaigns.
Don Bacon’s campaign already has $623,000 in campaign funds ready for the next election cycle.
In an interview Tuesday, Congressman Bacon said Vargas is too liberal to represent Nebraska’s District 2 residents.
“We’re going to run on a record of success and effectiveness,” said Bacon. “We’re also in a district that leans right. They want a republican that is pragmatic that works across the aisle I am that guy… Tony Vargas is not that guy.”
Bacon says he’s proud of his efforts to find common ground in Congress and he will r un on his record of success and effectiveness. The retired brigadier general says his military experience also makes him a better choice.
“I served 30 years, I’m on the Armed Services Committee so I put a lot of my emphasis on ensuring that we have a military that could deter Russia and deter China,” said Bacon. “I don’t think anybody in Congress can really bring this kind of expertise to the table like I do. I feel our district likes that.”
Watch the 2022 debate between Bacon and Vargas:
