Who's In the Race

The election for Nebraska's 2nd District will feature Democrat Denise Powell, Republican Brinker Harding and Libertarian Eric Foreman on November 3. The seat is open after Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) announced he would retire at the end of the 119th Congress. ​

Powell describes herself as a mother, small-business owner, former corporate executive, public-school advocate and health-care advocate. She won the May 12 Democratic primary with about 39% of the vote over runner-up John Cavanaugh. Harding has served on the Omaha City Council since 2017, representing the city's 6th District, and previously served as chief of staff to Omaha Mayor Hal Daub from 1995 to 2000. He ran unopposed in the May 12 Republican primary.

What They Stand For

Powell has proposed lowering family costs by stopping tariffs, expanding clean-energy production, supporting affordable housing and investing in childcare, according to her campaign website. She's also supported a Medicare-like public option while preserving private insurance, expanding Medicare drug-price negotiation and capping insulin at $35 a month, as well as restoring Roe v. Wade's protections nationwide, protecting access to contraception and expanding insurance coverage for IVF. Powell has also stated her support for protecting Social Security and enacting gun-safety measures including universal background checks and red-flag laws.

Harding has proposed increasing wages while keeping inflation in check, and supports year-round E-15 fuel to lower gas prices and support Nebraska agriculture, according to his campaign website. He's also supported taking on pharmaceutical and insurance companies to reduce prescription-drug costs and making health care, including IVF, more accessible and affordable, protecting Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare for seniors, veterans, disabled people and single mothers, and term limits for Members of Congress. On immigration, Harding has proposed implementing identifiable uniforms and body cameras for ICE agents, deporting undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes and nationwide voter ID.

The Money Behind the Race

Through June 30, Powell had raised about $2.7 million and had about $997,000 in the bank, according to Federal Election Commission filings; she carried $75,000 in debt. FEC filings for Harding through the same period show no reported receipts.

Outside groups have spent about $3.1 million supporting Powell, with Fight for Nebraska PAC the largest backer at about $1.3 million in support. Outside groups have also spent about $57,000 opposing Harding, compared to more than $3 million in completed spending backing Powell.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race "Likely Democratic" as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball gave it the same rating as of Oct. 11. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats a 95.04% chance of winning the seat as of Oct. 15.

In recent years, the district has leaned Republican but barely so: Bacon won in 2022 with about 51% of the vote and again in 2024 with about 51%, both bare majorities. Nebraska as a whole sent Republicans to all three of its U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024. In the 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump carried Nebraska with about 59% of the statewide vote.

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