Democrat Ann Ashford endorses Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon in second term
OMAHA — Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon received the endorsement of Ann Ashford on Monday. The widow of former Rep. Brad Ashford, whom she defeated in 2016.
Ashford said she supports Bacon in part because outside groups who advertise in congressional campaigns continue to try to label candidates like Bacon and her late husband as extremists when she says they are centrists .
She praised Bacon’s crossover votes on infrastructure funding, the Respect Marriage Act and legal reforms aimed at helping participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
She and Bacon said their two families became friends after the 2016 competition. Their relationship became even closer when Brad Ashford was diagnosed with brain cancer. He died in 2022.
“I’m tired of seeing politics twist things and try to turn someone into some kind of evil being or extremist just because they have a different party’s name behind them,” she said. “Because Don is not an extremist.”
competitive games
Her decision disappointed some Democrats, who said it could help Bacon boost congressional support for his bipartisan work. Others said they were not surprised.
Omaha State Senator Tony Vargas. August 13, 2024.
Nebraska Democrats have long viewed Bacon as more partisan than he portrayed himself to be. External ads placed on Bacon’s behalf make similar arguments to Bacon’s opponents.
Bacon said he was grateful for her support and that his relationship with the Ashford family was based on years of “respect.” He said he saw how they were trying to get donors to help build a new Veterans Affairs clinic in Omaha.
“We don’t always agree, but we do know that,” Bacon said. “We have trust, and trust is always based on character.”
Ashford Endorsement History
Brad Ashford himself endorsed Bacon in 2020, the last time Bacon faced a re-election battle in a presidential election year. Ashford’s move angered Democrats, especially local progressives.
Former U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford of Omaha (Courtesy of the U.S. House of Representatives Office of Photography)
At the time, some questioned whether he did so in part to punish Democratic candidate Kara Eastman, who criticized Ann Ashford during the 2020 primary.
Ann Ashford did not endorse Eastman after the primary.
Bacon won the rematch against Eastman that year by 5 percentage points. Now, Bacon faces another rematch against his 2022 opponent, Omaha State Sen. Tony Vargas.
Ashford’s endorsement comes at a critical time in Nebraska’s most competitive congressional race, as polls from both parties have repeatedly shown the election within the margin of error.
Democrats respond
Vargas campaign spokesperson Meg Mundy said the endorsement did not “hide the fact” that Bacon “voted the way Donald Trump told him time and time again… to stay in office.”
Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb is pictured. (Ariel Panovich of Bold Nebraska)
She said Bacon voted to “raise taxes on the middle class, block Medicare from negotiating lower prescription costs” and support “a nationwide ban on abortion, without exception.”
Nebraska Democrats interviewed said they didn’t expect her endorsement to have much of an impact within the party. Some people say this might help with the bacon.
Nebraska’s 2nd District is a red state with the most even distribution of Republicans, Democrats and registered independents. Both Bacon and Vargas are targeting unaffiliated voters.
How Ashford balances identity and faith
When asked, Ashford acknowledged a disconnect between her beliefs as a Democrat and her support in a race that could determine which party controls the House.
She criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling, which sent rulings on the future of abortion rights back to the states, but said Nebraskans will decide on the issue in November.
Bacon previously supported a federal constitutional amendment banning abortion, without notable exceptions. He said he supports exceptions to the mother’s life.
presidential politics
Ashford, who calls herself a “Harris-Bacon voter,” said she plans to support Vice President Kamala Harris for president over former President Donald Trump.
People watch Democratic candidate U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris versus Republican candidate former U.S. President Donald Trump on ABC News on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 presidential debate.
Political observers in 2020 noted that Bacon performed better than Trump in the district and attributed his margin of victory to voters supporting President Joe Biden.
Bacon acknowledged Monday that he will continue to support Trump, but said, “There are a lot of things I won’t defend the former president on.”
Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said no amount of support could hide “how extreme Don Bacon has become.” She said he has endorsed Trump three times.
Cribb also criticized Bacon for signing a delegation letter seeking to change Nebraska’s system of awarding Electoral College votes to the winner-take-all.
“Democrats are committed to building an economy of opportunity for all Nebraskans and avoiding the chaos of Trump and his cronies,” she said in a statement.
The Nebraska Republican Party had no immediate comment on the endorsement. Bacon said he will continue to work to represent all constituents, including those who disagree with him.
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