US Congressman Don Bacon is known in Australian circles for sharing beers and key military intelligence with Australia’s air force during the Iraq war. But in just over a week’s time, he might be better recognised as the politician who won (or lost) Donald Trump the presidency.

The life-long Republican and former US Air Force Wing Commander is locked in a well-funded Democrat challenge for his district in Nebraska – one of only two states that splits the all-important Electoral College votes.