The Democratic primary in Nebraska’s 2nd District has quickly become one of the most contentious races in the country.
This race pits nonprofit executive Denise Powell against state Sen. John Cavanaugh, with a host of major Democratic outside groups lining up behind them. The New Democrat Action Fund is backing Powell, as is EMILYs List. The Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC is boosting Cavanaugh. Republicans are even meddling in the primary.
The two Democratic candidates and their supporters have sparred over ideological fault lines, questions of electability and the idiosyncrasies of Nebraska’s electoral system.
Now, the latest flashpoint may be Israel for this May 12 primary.
The backstory. New Democrat Majority, an independent expenditure group that backs New Democrat Coalition-endorsed candidates, went up with a $750,000 ad buy attacking Cavanaugh this week.
The ad claims that if Cavanaugh wins the House seat, Nebraska’s “blue dot” — the one electoral vote the Omaha-based 2nd District receives in presidential elections — will be at risk. Powell’s allies argue that Nebraska’s GOP governor will appoint a Cavanaugh successor in the state Senate, “creating a MAGA super-majority to eliminate the blue dot.”
There’s more to this ad buy, however.
Democratic Majority for Israel PAC initially placed an ad buy that was nearly identical to New Democrat Majority’s — on the same stations and with the same media buyer, per AdImpact. But DMFI pulled back on that buy.
New Democrat Majority increased their buy so DMFI opted to focus their funds elsewhere, per a person familiar with the spending.
But there are likely other factors in play. Support for Israel has become a lightning-rod issue in Democratic primaries.
Nebraska candidates were asked at a forum earlier this year if they would take money from AIPAC or DMFI. Powell said she wouldn’t accept funds from “any special interest group in this category.” Powell or any candidate, however, cannot coordinate with super PACs.
The stakes. Rep. Don Bacon’s (R-Neb.) retirement creates an open seat in a district that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
Allies of both Powell and Cavanaugh insist their candidate is better positioned to flip the seat.
“Powell is a strong candidate and gives us the best chance to win the general election and put us in the majority,” New Dem Action Fund Chair Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) told us.
“Cavanaugh has both a proven track record, and also the populist priorities, that bring out all kinds of voters,” CPC Chair Greg Casar (D-Texas) said. “He’s the likeliest to flip that seat blue.”
