Don Bacon projected to keep his swing seat in Nebraska: AP

The House race was one of the most closely watched Congressional races this year, where Democrats hoped to flip the seat.

By Misty Severi

Published: November 8, 2024 7:17pm

Updated: November 8, 2024 7:38pm

Moderate Nebraska GOP Rep. Don Bacon on Friday was projected to keep his seat in the state's second district.

The Associated Press made the call at 6:11 p.m. Eastern, declaring Bacon the victor over Democratic challenger Tony Vargas.

The House race was one of the most closely watched Congressional races this year, where Democrats hoped to flip the seat. The swing seat is the most liberal of the House seats in Nebraska, and includes Omaha.

Bacon was first elected to the seat in 2016, and has since narrowly held the seat in subsequent elections. Vargas challenged him in 2022, but lost by approximately 2.2%, according to Fox News. Bacon, who has made a name for himself for being more moderate, is an Air Force veteran who retired in 2014 as a brigadier general.

The call comes as control of the House remains in question. But Republicans are leading Democrats with 212 seats to Democrats' 199 so far. The parties need to win 218 seats to have control of the lower chamber. Republicans flipped the Senate on Tuesday, and took back the White House via President-elect Donald Trump.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.