Democrats just flipped Nebraska's biggest city

And it should make GOP Rep. Don Bacon nervous about next year

Omaha Mayor-elect John Ewing (D), at left (credit: John Ewing Facebook)

Democrat John Ewing unseated Republican Mayor Jean Stothert in Tuesday's officially nonpartisan election to lead Omaha, a victory that ends the GOP's 12-year hold on Nebraska's largest city.

Stothert conceded the race after 9 PM local time with Ewing ahead 54-46, though more votes remained to be counted.

Ewing, who will be Omaha's first Black mayor, overcame a large fundraising disadvantage in his campaign to deny Stothert what would have been an unprecedented fourth term.

But Ewing, who serves as Douglas County treasurer, benefited from voters' unhappiness with the incumbent. The challenger argued Stothert had failed to solve the city's transportation problems and strengthen the police force during her long tenure.

Ewing also sought to tie the mayor to Donald Trump, whom Stothert has tried to avoid associating with during her time leading this Democratic-leaning city. Ewing additionally enjoyed the support of former state Sen. Mike McDonnell, a Democrat-turned-Republican who came in third during the first round of voting.

Stothert tried to push back by airing transphobic ads late in the race, a favorite tactic of today's GOP. The mayor did not, however, point to any statements Ewing had made to back up her claim that he'd sided "with radicals" who want "boys in girls' bathrooms and sports." Instead, she complained about her opponent's Trump-themed ads.

"I would bring it back to, 'Why is John Ewing trying to relate me to Donald Trump and saying the city is in chaos?" Stothert told reporters on Friday. "Donald Trump has not called me and asked me for advice." Stothert's defeat on Tuesday likely ends any chance she'll receive any such call from the White House.

Ewing's victory not only immediately makes him one of the most prominent Democrats in the state, it also gives his party more reason to be optimistic about unseating Republican Rep. Don Bacon next year.

According to new calculations from The Downballot, Bacon's swingy 2nd District in the Omaha area is the bluest seat in the House held by a Republican. The congressman said last month that he would decide in "late summer" whether to run again or call it quits.