Bacon leads the Omaha-area pack in 2nd District House fundraising

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon heads into the 2022 re-election year with nearly $1 million in the bank and a pair of Democrats raising enough money to wage a competitive primary to face him.

Bacon raised about $728,000 in the final quarter of 2021, based on year-end fundraising reports filed by Monday’s deadline. His fundraising rebounded after he briefly flirted with running for governor.

He’s seeking a fourth term representing Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, after beating former Omaha Rep. Brad Ashford once and twice defeating former Omaha nonprofit organization consultant Kara Eastman.

Two Democrats are vying to face Bacon this fall in the Omaha-area district: State Sen. Tony Vargas and mental health practitioner Alisha Shelton, both of Omaha.

Vargas reported raising $302,000 in the fourth quarter. He listed $440,000 cash on hand. Shelton reported raising $87,000 to wrap up 2021. She had about $89,000 on hand.

Rep. Adrian Smith of Gering, who represents Nebraska’s sprawling, largely rural 3rd District, had attracted no challenger by Monday who raised enough money to file reports.

Smith is the ranking Republican member of the subcommittee on trade of the House’s tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. He raised $165,000 in the fourth quarter and reported having $1.1 million cash on hand.