Cnn
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The GOP representative, Don Bacon, who represents one of the most difficult battlefield districts of the Republicans of the Chamber, decided not to present himself to re -election next year, according to three familiar people with his plans – opening a critical seat in the Nebraska for the Democrats in mid -term of 2026.
Bacon will officially make the announcement next week, probably on Monday, these people said. Bacon did not return an immediate request for CNN comments.
The departure of the centrist republican will be a major loss for the leaders of the GOP in the Chamber, who will have to hang on to each GOP seat to maintain their close majority at the intermediary.
But his decision is not a shock for many Republicans of the Chamber, who believe that the Air Force retirement officer has telegraphed his plans to leave the congress, including through his voting file.
Bacon, who was elected for the first time in 2016, has long been weighed if we had to seek a re -election, which is little secret of his frustration with Washington. His victory last fall was considered one of the country’s largest republican surprises, given that he surpassed Donald Trump and overcome steep republican opposites in his district of the Omaha region.
The freelance of Nebraskan was one of the few Republicans ready to challenge Trump on the key decisions of his second term, in particular on questions of foreign policy like Ukraine. Some believe in private that he could seek a race for the presidency in 2028.
The Democrats of the Chamber already felt optimistic about their chances of taking over the majority, which would only require to return a handful of seats next November. Party campaign officials highlight the longtime historical trends showing that new presidential administrations undergoing a strong losses in their first term – as Trump did during his first mandate in the 2018 wave.
Some Republicans also fear a blue wave, but they also indicate key factors in their favor, including the redistribution of battles in red states such as Ohio which will easily promote GOP. They also believe that Trump’s personal involvement in 2026 – including his fundraising – will be crucial to producing its voters who have widely withdrawn the term mid -term in 2018.
Manu Raju of CNN contributed to this report.