MoveOn and American Action Network ramp up outside spending on Nebraska’s 2nd District race

Nebraska voters in the state's 2nd Congressional District will face a rematch between Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas, left, and U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb. (Courtesy of the candidates; Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

OMAHA — Democratic State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha will get a slice of $32 million raised to help Democrats hold the White House and win back the U.S. House in competitive districts.

MoveOn, a left-leaning group that helped then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama organize progressives to support his successful 2008 bid for president, announced it is endorsing Vargas and said it would start by donating $5,000 to his campaign.

The group also plans to provide additional independent expenditures for field work, digital outreach, fundraising and other outreach. The group has typically worked on polling and voter contacts and says it often impacts races. A MoveOn spokeswoman said it had endorsed in 21 House races nationally.

It was not immediately clear how much help the group might give Vargas this year. MoveOn also backed Vargas in 2022.

Group backs Vargas again

Britt Jacovich, a spokeswoman for MoveOn’s political action committee, said the organization knows the importance of winning Nebraska’s 2nd District House race against Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon of Papillion as Democrats try to flip the House.

Jacovich said the group endorsed Vargas because “he will prioritize a people-first agenda for Nebraskans that will empower our communities while ensuring our rights and freedoms do not collapse at the hands of the MAGA-run Republican Party.”

Political observers expect MoveOn funds to be part of the millions in outside spending expected on the race to represent the Omaha area in Congress. In 2022, outside groups spent nearly $11 million.

Bacon also has new outside help

The MoveOn announcement comes days after an announcement that Bacon will receive an additional $375,000 in ads from the American Action Network, an issue advocacy group tied to the Congressional Leadership Fund backing House Republicans.

American Action Network said that brings its total campaign spending in the 2nd District to $725,000. The ads are running on TV and social media platforms, including during the Olympics.

Dan Conston, president of the group, said they back Bacon because he has focused on making life more affordable.

“Hardworking Americans feel the strain from the failed liberal experiment of more regulations and more government spending,” Conston said.

Neither campaign had an immediate comment on the outside help.

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