Staff Reports
As voters prepare to cast their ballots for the next President of the United States and to select their representatives in Congress, Nebraska is getting ready for a significant election cycle. With all of Nebraska's congressional seats up for grabs and the potential to influence the outcome of the 2024 presidential contest, the 2018 elections are quite important.
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Tuesday's presidential and congressional primaries will take place in Nebraska, making the state the center of attention. The fact that Nebraska is the only state with both Senate seats on the ballot for the upcoming presidential election highlights the state's crucial significance in the 2024 contest.
For the first time since 1954, Nebraska's two U.S. Senate seats are up for reelection at the same time, along with the state's three representatives in Congress and two senators. The nation's attention is mostly on the 2nd Congressional District, a crucial swing district where the outcome between businessman Dan Frei and incumbent Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) could have a big impact on the presidential election.
The fact that all five of the Nebraska delegation's representatives are running for reelection without the state party's formal endorsement presents internal difficulties for the state's Republicans. The fact that Nebraska is the only state with both Senate seats up for election in 2024 only serves to heighten the importance of the approaching elections.
A special election for Sen. Pete Ricketts's seat and the regularly planned campaign for Sen. Deb Fischer's seat will be featured in Nebraska's Senate primary contests. The former governor of Nebraska, Sen. Ricketts, is up against Mac Stevens and John Glen Weaver in the primary in an attempt to hold onto his seat until 2026. Preston Love Jr. is running for the Democratic nomination and projecting himself as a strong contender in the general election.
Similarly, for a full six-year term, Sen. Fischer will compete against Arron Kowalski in the Republican primary. Labor union leader Dan Osborn will run as an independent in November, potentially changing the election's course even if there isn't a Democratic contender at this time.
Rep. Bacon is expected to defeat Democratic state senator Tony Vargas in the GOP primary in the 2nd Congressional District, and he will then go on to face Frei in the general election. The result of this fiercely contested fight might significantly affect the 2024 presidential election as well as the balance of power in Congress.
The possible influence of the 2nd Congressional District on the distribution of electoral votes in the presidential contest serves as additional evidence of the district's significance. Nebraska has a proportionate distribution of electoral delegates with Maine, and in a closely contested presidential race, the votes from the 2nd District may prove to be critical. Although the state legislature has so far declined to make any changes, supporters of former President Donald Trump have voiced concerns about the possible influence of the 2nd District's votes on the outcome of the presidential election and have called for revisions to the current regulations.
The nation is paying careful attention to Nebraska's upcoming primaries because of the state's crucial role in the 2024 presidential contest and the fierce struggle in the congressional contests. These events will have a significant impact on Nebraska's and the nation's future.
