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Denise Powell Wins Democratic Primary in Nebraska’s Swing 2nd District

The outcome eases Democratic fears over a vacancy threatening Nebraska’s split electoral-vote system.

Denise Powell, candidate for the Democratic nomination to the House of Representatives in Nebraska's second district, right, hugs Jennifer Reyna, chair of Latino Caucus for the Democratic Party of Nebraska, during an election night watch party Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Denise Powell, candidate for the Democratic nomination to the House of Representatives in Nebraska's second district, speaks to media during an election night watch party Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Denise Powell, candidate for the Democratic nomination to the House of Representatives in Nebraska's second district, speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
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Overview

  • Powell’s narrow win, which the Associated Press called Wednesday evening, left her ahead 39% to 37% by about 1,080 votes with roughly 90% of expected ballots counted.
  • She advances to face Omaha City Council member Brinker Harding in November after Rep. Don Bacon’s retirement opened the seat, and Harding ran unopposed with an endorsement from President Donald Trump.
  • The primary drew a surge of outside money and negative ads, with more than $5 million in TV spending reported, as major Democratic groups split between Powell and state Sen. John Cavanaugh.
  • A central fight was over the district’s “blue dot” status, since electing Cavanaugh to Congress would have created a state-senate vacancy the Republican governor could fill, but Powell’s win keeps Cavanaugh in the Legislature and lowers that risk.
  • Nebraska is one of two states that award Electoral College votes by congressional district, and Omaha’s 2nd has backed Democrats for president while electing Bacon, setting up a nationally watched race Cook rates Lean or Tilt Democratic with House control in play.