Ten national progressive groups are buying last-minute ads to boost Democrat Kara Eastman in a swing district in Nebraska, hoping to push her over the finish line as Democrats fight for control of the House.
An insurgent candidate, Eastman beat former Rep. Brad Ashford in the primary, upsetting the Democratic establishment. Following her victory, the race received less attention as many Democrats believed only a moderate like Ashford could retake the seat.
But FiveThirtyEight recently shifted Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District race to a toss-up, giving progressives hope that Eastman may defeat incumbent Republican Don Bacon. The new ads, which will run Wednesday through Election Day in Omaha, are being paid for by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, NARAL Pro-Choice America, EMILY’s List, MoveOn, and five other progressive groups.
The 30-second ad features Jeff Schlichting, a “lifelong Republican and Trump voter.”
“I voted for Donald Trump, but I can’t vote for Congressman Don Bacon again,” Schlichting says in the ad. “He voted to let insurers deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, like my daughter.”
“But Democrat Kara Eastman knows that if all Americans could get Medicare, it would save money for families and businesses, and we could increase benefits for seniors,” Schlichting says. “This one’s easy. I’m voting Kara Eastman for Congress.”
The liberal groups’ announcement comes days after an NBC report highlighted the lack of outside spending from progressives in the race. The other groups paying for the ad include Democracy for America, House Majority PAC, Working Families Party, Climate Hawks Vote, and Progressive Turnout Project.
Nonpartisan forecasters rate the race “lean Republican.” The district is an R+4 and went for Trump by two points in 2016.
