Kara Eastman (D-NE-02)

Kara Eastman is running in the 2018 election to represent Nebraska’s 2nd district in the House of Representatives. She is a nonprofit CEO, working to help families have safe and healthy homes. On May 15, she won the Democratic primary and will run against Republican incumbent Don Bacon in the general election on November 6.

Background and Achievements

Kara Eastman was born in the Midwest and raised by a single mother. She and her husband live in Omaha, where their daughter attends public school. Eastman received her BA from Pitzer College and her MSW from Loyola University Chicago. Her work has always related to public service, and she has held jobs at a domestic violence center, a volunteer program for individuals with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and a transitional housing program. Most recently, she started Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance (OHKA), where she is currently the CEO. The organization helps children and families, assuring that they live in homes that are healthy and safe. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Governors of Metropolitan Community College, where she has led projects related to non-discrimination policies and job creation.

Positions on Key Issues

  • Advocates for women’s reproductive and abortion rights
  • Believes in common sense gun safety regulations
  • Supports Medicare for all
  • Supports college for everyone and public school funding
  • Believes in raising the minimum wage
  • Supports clean energy

Prospects & Opponents

Kara Eastman won the Democratic primary on May 15 by just over 1,000 votes despite the DCCC supporting her opponent. In the November 6 general election, she will run against Republican incumbent Don Bacon. Bacon won his 2016 election by 1 percentage point, and Donald Trump won by 2 points in the district, meaning that the upcoming election is a tossup and could go to either Bacon or Eastman. Most recently, however, the Cook Political Report rates the election as leaning Republican.  Although behind in fundraising, she has strong grassroots support as well as endorsements from leading women’s rights organizations.

Endorsements

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