Insisting he doesn’t compromise his values or break campaign promises, Republican Congressman Don Bacon is touting the top score in the nation from a group that promotes “more progress, less division” from the country’s top politicians. 

At the same time Bacon’s score—a near perfect 104 out of 110—puts him well ahead of Nebraska’s three statewide elected officials, according to the Common Ground scorecard.

Sen. Ben Sasse manages a score of 32, Sen. Deb Fischer comes in at 30, while Gov. Pete Ricketts gets a big zero—104 points behind Bacon.

The three term Omaha area Congressman says, “Congress needs to lead with civility, strength, and common ground solutions, not partisanship and an ‘all or nothing’ philosophy. If we don’t lead that way, we will fail as a country, and I refuse to let that happen.”

Last fall News Channel Nebraska first reported that Bacon, who is running for reelection against Democrat Tony Vargas, was not in line with many in his party who want former President Donald Trump to run again in 2024.

NCN’s Joe Jordan: “It sounds like you’re hoping (former President Trump) doesn’t run in 2024.”

Rep. Don Bacon: “I would like to see a new candidate.”

In subsequent interviews Bacon has left open the possibility that he would vote for Trump if Trump is the GOP nominee.

“Don Bacon can try to downplay his extremist record all he wants, but he isn’t fooling anyone,” says Johanna Warshaw a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Bacon wants politicians like himself to have complete control over women’s health care and supported criminalizing all abortions even in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is at risk. He’s taken nearly $2 million from lobbyists and corporate PACs, then turned around and voted in their best interests, not Nebraskans’. There’s nothing bipartisan about that.” 

According to the website FiveThirtyEight, Bacon is a heavy favorite in the fall with an 88 percent chance of beating Vargas, the margin: 55-45.

Paul Landow, a retired political science professor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha who has contributed to Vargas’ campaign, believes that issues such as high gas prices and inflation will help Bacon, while the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade gives Vargas a “major boost.” 

According to Landow, “Taking away abortion rights will hurt the Republican by increasing Democratic voter turnout.”

By the way Common Ground gives President Joe Biden a score of 45, Trump a minus 20.