Nebraska 2nd Congressional District Candidates Debate Policy, Records

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), who is running for a fifth term in the House, and his Democratic Party challenger sparred over foreign and domestic issues in an Oct. 4 debate ahead of the November general election.

Bacon, who was first elected in 2016, is running against state Sen. Tony Vargas for the second time. The candidates appeared at an hourlong debate hosted by local NBC affiliate WOWT at the Omaha Press Club in Omaha, Nebraska. They fielded questions ranging from their stances on campaign finance reform to their foreign policy positions.

Both candidates are running to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. The jurisdiction is the most populous in Nebraska and covers much of the Omaha metropolitan area. Bacon narrowly defeated Vargas in the 2022 edition of the contest. A New York Times/Siena College poll published on Sept. 28 indicated Vargas holds a slight advantage over Bacon with about a month to go until the election.

While the tone was generally civil, each candidate questioned the other’s character and legislative record during the debate.

The Economy

National polling indicates Americans consider the state of the economy, and more specifically inflation, to be a vital issue influencing their vote in the 2024 election. Both candidates were asked how they would make life better for their constituents.

Vargas said he would focus on investing in the state’s economy and creating jobs. The way to do this, he said, is through investing in education.

Bacon said inflation is the biggest issue facing Americans right now. He said the average American is about 4 percent poorer today than they were four years ago due to inflation.

He said Democratic Party policies drove up inflation through supplemental spending, and that to control inflation, Republicans must reign in federal spending. Moreover, he said he supported cutting taxes on Social Security recipients and extending existing tax cuts, which he said support the middle class.

Immigration

Along with the economy, public opinion polling indicates illegal immigration is a top concern for likely voters. Both candidates were asked about their thoughts on a policy proposal endorsed by former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, to deport illegal immigrants en masse.

Bacon responded that he did not believe a mass deportation effort would work. Instead, any deportation plans should be focused on convicted criminals who are living in the country illegally. He put the number of them at about 25,000.

Furthermore, Bacon said the country should reinstate Trump’s “remain in Mexico” policy while expanding its legal immigration opportunities. He said more than 8 million have illegally entered the country in the past four years.

“They want to work. They want to be a part of our society. But there is a criminal element [and] there’s a terrorist element,” Bacon said. “We see innocent people get murdered in our country because of this.”

Vargas said he’s been speaking with voters and that border security is a priority for him.

However, he said that a bipartisan measure to address numerous issues with the southern border should have been passed by Congress.

Trump and other Republicans opposed the bill because, among other things, it would have “only [given] Shutdown Authority after 5000 Encounters a day,” the former president wrote on Truth Social in February.

Abortion

Nebraskans will see a pair of questions related to expanding abortion access on the November ballot. According to abortion advocacy group The Guttmacher Institute, Nebraska currently bans the procedure after 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Vargas said the measure “actually listens to women and protects their freedoms.”

“I don’t think politicians should be telling women what they can and cannot do with their bodies,” Vargas said.

Bacon said he will “support the Nebraska law” as the existing statute contains “reasonable restrictions” and exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother.