Denise Powell, a political organizer, won the Democratic primary for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating state Sen. John Cavanaugh by a narrow margin. With roughly 90% of votes counted, Powell secured about 40% of the vote to Cavanaugh's 38%, according to the Associated Press. She will now face Republican Brinker Harding, an Omaha City Council member, in the general election. Libertarian Eric Michael Foreman will also appear on the ballot.
Powell's victory was closely watched as Democrats aim to flip the district, currently held by retiring Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE). The district, known as the "blue dot" for voting Democratic in recent presidential elections, is a key battleground in the narrowly divided U.S. House.
Powell's campaign focused on safeguarding the Democratic process, lowering costs for Nebraskans, and defending abortion rights. She founded Nebraska’s Women Who Run, a PAC that promotes women running for office. The primary drew national attention due to heavy outside spending and endorsements, including support from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for Powell and the Congressional Progressive Caucus for Cavanaugh.
A key concern in the race was the potential impact of Cavanaugh's victory on Nebraska's electoral system. Powell argued that if Cavanaugh won and resigned his state Senate seat, Republican Gov. Jim Pillen could appoint a replacement, weakening Democratic bargaining power in the legislature. This could have implications for Nebraska's unique electoral system, which awards one Electoral College vote per congressional district rather than a winner-take-all approach.
The race highlighted the strategic importance of the district, which has voted for Democratic presidential candidates in recent elections despite Nebraska's Republican leanings. Powell's win avoids a scenario where a Republican appointee could influence the state's electoral system.