Political activist Denise Powell clung to a narrow lead in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Nebraska’s open 2nd District after a contentious campaign that brought an influx of outside money and a blitz of increasingly negative attack ads to one of the nation’s most competitive House battlegrounds.
With more than 51,000 votes counted, Powell was leading her chief competitor, state Sen. John Cavanaugh, 39 percent to 37 percent – a difference of around 1,080 votes – shortly after 12:01 a.m. Central time on Wednesday with The Associated Press saying the race was “too early to call.” Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades and Navy veteran Kishla Askins trailed with 14 percent and 6 percent respectively.
The Democratic winner will face Republican Brinker Harding, an Omaha City Council member who did not have a primary opponent.
The district, which is centered on Omaha, is closely divided, and both parties say the November contest will be crucial to determining control of the House. Kamala Harris won the 2nd District by 5 points in 2024, yet voters here have repeatedly sent Republican Don Bacon to Congress. (Bacon won a fifth term by less than 2 points in 2024 before announcing his retirement last year.)
