Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) announced on June 30, 2025, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.

On his retirement, Bacon said in a statement, “My service to our great nation started in the Air Force, where I served sixteen assignments, five commands and four deployments and will continue in Congress until the end of the 119th Congress. […] It has been an honor to serve the 2nd District of Nebraska and the nation, and I thank our constituents for trusting me to represent them.”

In 2016, Bacon ran for his first term in the House in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. In the general election, Bacon defeated incumbent Rep. Brad Ashford (D-Neb.) 49% to 48%. Bacon was the only Republican challenger to defeat a Democratic incumbent in a general election that year.

In his four subsequent re-election bids, Bacon won by two percentage points in 2018, five percentage points in 2020, two percentage points in 2022, and two percentage points in 2024.

As of June 24, 2025, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball have rated the 2026 general election for the seat Toss-up. Inside Elections rated it Tilt Republican.

The Hill’s Julia Manchester wrote, “Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Omaha, was won by former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and presents an opportunity for Democrats to pick up the ‘blue dot’ district Bacon has held since winning it in 2016.”

As of June 30, 2025, 23 members of the U.S. Congress—seven senators and 16 representatives—have announced they will not seek re-election to their current seats in 2026.

Of the 16 representatives—seven Democrats and nine Republicans—not seeking re-election:

• Three—two Democrats and one Republican—are retiring from public office.
• Seven—five Democrats and two Republicans—are running for the U.S. Senate.
• Six—all Republicans—are running for governor.

Compared to the last four election cycles, there were 11 retirement announcements at this point in 2024, 14 in 2022, seven in 2020, and nine in 2018.

Between January 2011 and June 30, 2025, Ballotpedia followed 370 announcements from Senate and House members who announced they would not seek re-election. January had seen the highest number of announcements of any month at 69. The fewest announcements took place in August at 15.