Nebraska for Us is a local political advocacy organization that has focused almost exclusively on attacking U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE) for his refusal to support left-of-center policies like raising the minimum wage or Democratic-backed legislation like the Biden administration’s Build Back Better Act or Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The organization has produced three advertisements attacking Rep. Bacon for his policy positions, such as wanting to raise the retirement age for Social Security. ^{1 2}

Activities

Nebraska for Us is an advocacy organization that advocates for left-of-center policies in Nebraska, such as weather-dependent energy and support for a taxpayer-funded social safety net. It claims to be a coalition of workers, farmers, grandparents, and small business owners in Nebraska. The group argues that Congressional representatives regularly pass legislation that benefits the well-to-do and hurts the interests of the working class. ^{3 4}

In particular, Nebraska for Us criticizes U.S. Representative Don Bacon (R-NE), whose district encompasses much of the city of Omaha and whom the organization argues “continues to priorities big corporations and the ultra-wealthy.” ^{5 6}

Nebraska for Us has three main policy focus areas: taxes, jobs, and social security and Medicare. On taxes, the organization criticized Rep. Bacon for voting for tax cuts that it argued benefit the “uber wealthy and large corporations” and against the Inflation Reduction Act and Build Back Better Act. On jobs, Nebraska for Us criticized Rep. Bacon for voting against raising the minimum wage. On Social Security and Medicare, Nebraska for Us criticized Rep. Bacon for voting to cut Medicare and his intention to raise the retirement age on Social Security. ⁷

Nebraska for Us has created at least three ads against Rep. Bacon. In one ad entitled “Gloria,” Nebraska for Us attacked Rep. Bacon for voting against legislation that the organization argued would decrease the price of insulin. In an ad entitled “Michelle,” claimed Rep. Bacon voted to cut taxes for billionaires but refused to cut taxes for the middle class. In an ad entitled “Worked Hard,” Nebraska for Us criticized Rep. Bacon for wanting to cut Medicare and Social Security and raise the Social Security retirement age. These ads were produced between January 2024 and March 2024 leading up to the May 2024 primary election for Rep. Bacon’s congressional district. ^{8 9}

Nebraska for Us also urges supporters to send a message using an online form to political representatives in support of H.R. 4583 and in opposition to H.R. 812. H.R. 4583, called the Social Security 2100 Act, was introduced by Representative John Larson (D-CT) in July 2023 and would increase Social Security benefits in certain circumstances and increase Social Security payroll taxes on income over $400,000. H.R. 812, called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2023, was introduced by Representative Andrew Ogles (R-TN) to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which significantly increased taxpayer funding for weather-dependent energy and provided increased funding for variety of other left-of-center priorities. ^{10 11 12 13}

People

Angie Lauristen is the state director for Nebraska for All. Lauristen became the state director of Nebraska for Us in September 2023. Previously Lauristen was a city council member in the city of Gretna, Nebraska and a policy consultant at Lauristen Ventures where she advices on public policies relating to childhood sexual assault. ^{14 15}

Collin Ruan is the communications director of Nebraska for Us. Previously, Ruan was a public relations manager at Bailey Laureman, a public relations coordinator at Gigi’s Playhouse, an account executive at Lukas Partners, and a reporter, producer, and anchor at WOWT NBC Omaha. ^{16 17}

Anna Hernandez is the regional organizing director of Nebraska for Us. ¹⁸

1. “Fighting for Us.” Nebraska for Us. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/fighting-for-us.
2. “Advocacy.” Nebraska for Us.” Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/advocacy.
3. “Nebraska for Us.” Nebraska for Us. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/.
4. “About Us. Nebraska for Us.” Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/who-we-are.
5. “Nebraska for Us.” Nebraska for Us. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/.
6. “About Us.” Nebraska for Us. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/who-we-are.
7. “Fighting for Us.” Nebraska for Us. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/fighting-for-us.
8. “Don Bacon.” Ballotpedia. Accessed August 89, 2024. https://ballotpedia.org/Don_Bacon.
9. “Advocacy.” Nebraska for Us.” Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/advocacy.
10. “Advocacy.” Nebraska for Us.” Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/advocacy.
11. “H.R. 4583 – Social Security 2100 Act.” Congress.gov. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4583?s=1&r=1.
12. “H.R. 812 -Inflation Reduction Act of 2023.” Congress.gov. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/812?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22HR+812%22%7D&s=1&r=1.
13. “H.R. 5376 – Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.” Congress.gov. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5376?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22inflation+reduction+act+of+2022%22%7D&s=4&r=1
14. ‘Who We Are.” Nebraska for Us. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/who-we-are.
15. “Angie Lauristen (She/Her).” LinkedIn. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-lauritsen-23475752/.
16. ‘Who We Are.” Nebraska for Us. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/who-we-are.
17. “Collin Adler Ruane (He/Him).” LinkedIn. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-adler-ruane-9a448667/.
18.  ‘Who We Are.” Nebraska for Us. Accessed August 8, 2024. https://www.nebraskaforus.org/who-we-are.