For years, Democrats have fixated on flipping Nebraska’s 2nd District blue. Despite the Omaha-area seat voting for Democrats at the presidential level, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) has consistently beat back Democratic challengers with a moderate brand.
But now Bacon is retiring, and Democrats see a new opportunity given the seat’s open status.
We caught up with Denise Powell, who won the fiercely contested Democratic primary last Tuesday, to hear her takeaways about the primary win and what’s next in the fall.
The primary. Powell, a small business owner and first-time candidate, beat out more left-wing state Sen. John Cavanaugh by fewer than 2,000 votes. Powell said her focus on affordability and “pissed-off mom ads” connected with people.
“It was clear that folks were looking for something a little different,” Powell said.
The general election. Powell will face Omaha City Councilmember Brinker Harding in the toss-up general election.
Powell noted President Donald Trump has endorsed Harding, and she accused Harding of “being in lockstep with [Trump’s] agenda every step of the way.”
“[Harding] praised the war in Iran, and gas prices here are $4 a gallon. He’s not pushing back on any of Trump’s tariff policies. He supported the Big Beautiful Bill,” Powell said. “I think that’s pretty tone deaf in this moment.”
Jeffries for leader? Powell said, “It would be an honor to serve under the first Black speaker of the House.”
Powell, who benefited from $600,000 of spending from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus BOLD PAC, noted she “would be the first Latina and the first person of color to ever serve in the federal delegation” in Nebraska.
