Don Bacon

Don Bacon
Official portrait, 2025
Don Bacon
Born	Donald John Bacon 16 8, 1963
Birthplace	Chicago Heights, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, retired military officer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district
Children	4
Awards	Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal
Website	[Official congressional website Official site]

Donald John Bacon (born August 16, 1963) is an American politician and retired United States Air Force brigadier general who has served as the U.S. representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district since January 2017. A member of the Republican Party, Bacon represents a district that encompasses all of Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding areas, including Offutt Air Force Base, where he once served as installation commander. Before entering politics, Bacon spent 29 years in the Air Force, commanding wings at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Offutt Air Force Base before retiring in 2014. Known within the military by his nickname "Bits," Bacon transitioned to public service by defeating incumbent Democrat Brad Ashford in the 2016 general election. Often described as a centrist or moderate Republican, Bacon is a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and has self-identified as a "Reagan Republican." His district has been carried by Democratic presidential candidates in consecutive cycles — Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024 — making it one of the most closely watched swing districts in the country. In June 2025, The New York Times reported that Bacon would not seek re-election in 2026, citing dysfunction in Washington and divisions within the Republican Party as contributing factors in his decision.

Early Life

Donald John Bacon was born on August 16, 1963, in Chicago Heights, Illinois, a southern suburb of Chicago. Details regarding his parents, siblings, and upbringing in the Chicago Heights area are limited in publicly available records. Bacon grew up during the Cold War era, a period that would later inform his career in the military and his views on national defense and foreign policy.

Bacon's formative years in the suburbs of Chicago preceded his decision to pursue a career in the United States Air Force, which he entered in 1985. His upbringing in a working-class Illinois community shaped what he has described as his pragmatic, center-right political philosophy. Bacon has frequently referenced Ronald Reagan as a political influence, identifying himself as a Reagan Republican in public statements and interviews.

Career

Military Service

Bacon served in the United States Air Force for 29 years, from 1985 until his retirement in 2014. Over the course of his military career, he rose to the rank of brigadier general, serving in a variety of command and staff positions both in the United States and overseas.

Among his most prominent assignments, Bacon served as commander of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, one of the largest and most strategically significant American military installations in Europe. He also served as the commander of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, located just south of Omaha, Nebraska. Offutt serves as the headquarters of United States Strategic Command, making the installation a critical node in the nation's nuclear command and control infrastructure. His command at Offutt familiarized him with the Omaha-area community he would later represent in Congress.

During his military career, Bacon developed expertise in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, as well as electronic warfare. After leaving Congress's predecessor role, he became an outspoken advocate for treating the electromagnetic spectrum as a warfighting domain, drawing on his extensive operational experience. He also shared his views on defense priorities and challenges at forums such as the Brookings Institution.

Bacon's military decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star Medal, among other awards. He retired from active duty as a brigadier general in 2014, settling in the Omaha area near Offutt Air Force Base.

2016 Congressional Campaign

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Bacon entered politics, seeking the Republican nomination for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2016. The district, which includes all of Omaha and its southern suburbs including the Offutt Air Force Base area, was held at the time by freshman Democratic incumbent Brad Ashford, who had won the seat in 2014 by defeating Republican Lee Terry.

The race was considered highly competitive throughout the campaign cycle, with analysts rating it a toss-up. Bacon's military background and name recognition from his time commanding Offutt Air Force Base gave him a strong base of support in the district. On Election Day in November 2016, Bacon defeated Ashford to win the seat. The results were also tracked by major national outlets, reflecting the district's significance as a swing seat.

Congressional Tenure

Bacon took office on January 3, 2017, succeeding Ashford as the representative for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district. He has since been re-elected in multiple subsequent cycles, maintaining his hold on a district that has proven to be one of the most competitive in the nation.

Legislative Record

Throughout his tenure in Congress, Bacon has compiled a legislative record that reflects his centrist positioning within the Republican caucus. He was an original sponsor of the Naming Commission, which led to the removal of names honoring the Confederacy from Department of Defense installations and assets. He also co-sponsored the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which established lynching as a distinct federal hate crime. Bacon voted to enact the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

On healthcare, Bacon was among the Republican members who voted for the American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA), the House Republican effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The legislation passed the House but ultimately failed in the Senate.

Bacon joined the Climate Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan group of House members focused on addressing climate change through market-based and legislative solutions. He is also a member of the House Baltic Caucus, reflecting his interest in European security affairs and the transatlantic alliance.

Bacon introduced the Kerri Orozco Act, named after a fallen Omaha police officer, as part of his legislative work on behalf of law enforcement personnel and their families.

The 2020 Election and January 6

Following the 2020 presidential election, Bacon was one of 37 Republican members of the House who rejected efforts by some of their colleagues to overturn the election results. He was subsequently one of 35 Republicans who voted to support the establishment of a congressional committee to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. These votes placed him in opposition to a significant faction of his own party and contributed to his reputation as a moderate willing to break with party leadership on matters of democratic governance.

Relationship with the House Freedom Caucus

Bacon has repeatedly clashed with members of the House Freedom Caucus, the far-right faction within the Republican conference. His disagreements with the caucus have spanned a range of issues, from government spending to foreign policy to legislative strategy. Bacon's willingness to oppose the Freedom Caucus has been a defining feature of his congressional career and has contributed to his identification as a moderate or centrist Republican.

Foreign Policy and National Security

Drawing on his military background, Bacon has been an active voice on foreign policy and national security issues in Congress. He has been a strong advocate for the NATO alliance and has supported continued American engagement in European security, including aid to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. His stance on Ukraine and Russia has been particularly notable; Bacon is one of a group of U.S. representatives who have been sanctioned by the Russian government in retaliation for their support of Ukraine.

Bacon was also the first member of Congress reported to have been hacked by the Chinese government, an incident that underscored his prominence as a figure in congressional foreign policy debates.

In February 2026, Bacon stated that he would support a discharge petition to force a vote on legislation mandating sanctions against Russia, criticizing President Donald Trump's stance on Ukraine.

Opposition to Trump Tariffs

Bacon has been among the most prominent Republican critics of Donald Trump's tariff policies during Trump's second administration. In February 2026, after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that many of Trump's broad-based tariffs were illegal, Bacon applauded the decision and stated publicly that he felt "vindicated."

Bacon declared that he would not support efforts by some Republican colleagues to codify the president's tariffs into law, stating that "the Constitution was defended today" in reference to the Court's ruling. Trump has derided Bacon as a "rebel" for his opposition to the administration's trade and protectionist policies.

Decision Not to Seek Re-election

In June 2025, The New York Times reported that Bacon would not seek re-election in 2026. Bacon cited "dysfunction" in Washington and "divisions" among the Republican Party as factors in his decision, along with a desire to spend more time with his grandchildren. The announcement came during the debate over Trump's legislative package known as the "Big Beautiful Bill." Despite his criticisms of the administration, Bacon ultimately voted in favor of the bill.

Community Engagement

Bacon has been active in engaging with his constituents and participating in community events across the Omaha area. He spoke at a seminar at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where students engaged him on a range of policy issues.

Bacon has also spoken about his Jewish heritage and its connection to his engagement with issues of religious tolerance and Holocaust remembrance. In February 2026, he was reappointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, which oversees the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Personal Life

Bacon is married and has four children. The family resides in the Omaha, Nebraska, area, near Offutt Air Force Base where Bacon concluded his military career. His military nickname was "Bits," a play on his surname.

Bacon has spoken publicly about his Jewish background, which has informed his engagement with issues related to religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and Holocaust remembrance. A profile in Jewish Insider described him as "Kosher Bacon," a tongue-in-cheek reference to the intersection of his heritage and surname.

In announcing his decision not to seek re-election in 2026, Bacon cited a desire to spend more time with his grandchildren as one of the motivating factors, alongside his frustrations with the political environment in Washington.

Recognition

During his military career, Bacon received numerous decorations, including the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star Medal, reflecting his service in command and operational assignments over nearly three decades.

In Congress, Bacon's bipartisan approach has earned him recognition from organizations and media outlets across the political spectrum. His membership in the Problem Solvers Caucus and his willingness to cross party lines on significant votes — including on the Respect for Marriage Act, the January 6 investigation, and the certification of the 2020 election — have been cited by political analysts as examples of centrist governance in an era of increasing partisan polarization.

Bacon has been sanctioned by the Russian government for his vocal support of Ukraine, a distinction he shares with a relatively small number of American legislators. His status as the first member of Congress to be hacked by the Chinese government brought additional national attention to his role in foreign policy debates.

His reappointment to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council in February 2026 reflected continued recognition of his engagement with issues of historical memory and human rights.

Legacy

Bacon's career spans two distinct phases — a 29-year military career culminating in the rank of brigadier general, and a congressional tenure representing one of the most competitive districts in the United States. His military service at installations including Ramstein Air Base and Offutt Air Force Base positioned him as a credible voice on defense and national security matters in Congress.

As a legislator, Bacon's record reflects a consistent effort to occupy the political center within the Republican Party. His sponsorship of the Naming Commission, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, and his vote for the Respect for Marriage Act placed him at odds with more conservative elements of his party on cultural and social issues. His opposition to efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his support for the January 6 investigation further distinguished him from the Republican mainstream during the Trump era.

Bacon's vocal criticism of Trump administration tariff policies and his support for Ukraine aid and Russian sanctions marked him as one of the most independent Republican voices in the 119th Congress. His willingness to publicly challenge his own party's leadership and the sitting president of his party earned him both praise from bipartisan advocates and criticism from Trump and his allies, who labeled Bacon a "rebel."

His decision not to seek re-election in 2026 marked the end of a congressional career that encompassed five terms representing Nebraska's 2nd district. The seat's status as a perennial swing district — carried by Democratic presidential candidates in both 2020 and 2024 — ensured that Bacon's tenure was marked by close elections and constant national attention. His departure leaves an open seat in one of the most competitive congressional districts in the country.