Political activist Denise Powell received the hotly contested Nebraska Democratic major Wednesday for retiring Rep. Don Bacon’s (R-Neb.) seat within the Home of Representatives.
Powell’s shut race towards state Sen. John Cavanaugh was referred to as by the Related Press about 24 hours after polls closed within the Cornhusker state.
The Omaha-area 2nd Congressional District, referred to as the “blue dot,” is considered one of solely three districts former Vice President Kamala Harris received within the 2024 presidential election that’s represented by a Republican in Congress – making it a prime goal for Democrats within the 2026 midterms.
Powell got here out on prime within the six-candidate area with about 39% of the vote.
The district is rated “lean Democrat” by the nonpartisan Cook dinner Political Report.
Exterior teams spent greater than $6 million on the race, largely to spice up Powell’s rivalry that with out Cavanaugh within the state Senate, Republicans would transfer to strip the “blue dot” district from the 1 Electoral Faculty vote it awards presidential candidates.
“If John Cavanaugh will get elected to Congress and leaves the state legislature, he’ll give Gov. [Jim] Pillen a supermajority in Lincoln – meaning MAGA Republicans could have the votes to get rid of the blue dot. It means extra restrictions on abortion and defunding public colleges,” learn an advert put out by the Battle for Nebraska tremendous PAC.
“Cavanaugh has been a superb legislator,” the advert continued, “however Nebraska can’t afford a MAGA supermajority.”
“Vote no on Cavanaugh for Congress.”
Different anti-Cavanaugh commercials have juxtaposed his picture subsequent to President Trump’s, which the state senator described as an try to confuse voters.
Cavanaugh claims “darkish cash Republican teams” have been supporting Powell as a result of they view her as the simpler candidate to go up towards in November.
“Republicans know that after we win the first on Might 12, we’ll flip this seat blue in November and assist Democrats take again the Home,” he wrote on X.
Powell has accused Cavanaugh of “spreading lies about me to distract from … what occurs if he leaves his seat within the legislature.”
“With the White Home and Supreme Courtroom attacking voting and reproductive rights in our nation, we’d like to have the ability to maintain the road on the federal and state stage with the intention to shield Nebraska households. On Might twelfth we are able to do each,” she argued earlier this month, including, “I’m asking Sen. Cavanaugh to take heed to Nebraskans, take heed to his personal constituents, and do his half by staying in his seat to defend the folks of our state.”
Cavanaugh is backed by dozens of lefty teams and labor unions, in addition to distinguished progressive Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Greg Casar (D-Texas).
Powell will face Omaha metropolis councilman Brinker Harding, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination, within the common election in November.
Harding was endorsed by Trump final month.
“As your subsequent Congressman, Brinker will work tirelessly to Champion our Wonderful Farmers and Ranchers, Develop our Economic system, Reduce Taxes and Laws, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Power DOMINANCE, Preserve our Border SECURE, Cease Migrant Crime, Guarantee LAW AND ORDER, Assist our Courageous Navy, Veterans, and Regulation Enforcement, and Shield our at all times underneath siege Second Modification,” the president wrote in a Fact Social put up giving Harding his “full and complete endorsement.”
In response, Harding mentioned he appeared ahead to working with Trump “to Make Life Extra Inexpensive and Authorities Extra Accountable.”
Bacon, a centrist who often clashed with Trump, has endorsed Harding as effectively.
In 2024, the congressman received a fifth time period representing the Omaha-centered district by simply 1.8 share factors, defeating Democrat Tony Vargas by fewer than 6,000 votes out of greater than 314,000 solid.
