Brinker
Harding
Republican Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding is the GOP nominee for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 16
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 18
Background
Brinker Harding is a Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, running for the seat being vacated by incumbent Don Bacon. 1569
A self-described "fourth-generation Omahan," Harding has served on the Omaha City Council representing District 6 since 2017. Prior to his council service, he was a member of the Omaha Planning Board. 112
Before entering elected office, Harding served as chief of staff and director of economic development to Omaha Mayor Hal Daub from 1995 to 2000. After Daub's mayoral term ended, he worked in commercial real estate brokerage for Colliers. 112
Harding holds a degree from the University of Kansas; the specific degree and graduation year are not confirmed by available sources. 8
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Nebraska
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Omaha City Council Member, District 6
- Website
- brinkerharding.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 12newsFact-check of CD2 debate talking points published by KETV
KETV published a fact-check of claims made by Harding and Powell during their October 11 congressional debate.
Get the facts behind CD2 candidates' debate talking points · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11debateHarding and Powell debate live on KETV, covering cost of living, tariffs, healthcare and immigration
Brinker Harding and Denise Powell faced off in a live KETV debate moderated by anchors Julie Cornell and Bill Schammert. Topics included cost of living, tariffs, campaign ads, healthcare, and immigration.
Nebraska congressional debate: Brinker Harding vs. Denise Powell · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsHarding says outside ad cuts are not a problem: 'It's not money that we need'
After Republicans cut more than $1.1 million in TV advertising in the district, Harding told the Washington Examiner his campaign was operating within its pre-set budget and did not need the outside money.
Without Bacon, can Republicans win Nebraska's 'blue dot'? · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsNational GOP pulls CD2 ads; Democrats follow suit with Powell ad reductions
Reports confirmed that national Republican outside groups pulled advertising in Nebraska's 2nd District, with Democratic outside groups also reducing ad spending in response.
National GOP pulls CD2 ads; Dems follow suit with Powell · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsGOP super PAC Congressional Leadership Fund pulls $1.1M Omaha TV ad buy
WOWT reported that the Congressional Leadership Fund, a major Republican outside group, pulled a $1.1 million television ad reservation in the Omaha market, signaling reduced outside investment in the NE-02 race. Democratic outside groups also reduced spending.
Reports: Super PACs pull back spending in Nebraska 2nd District race · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30endorsementHarding voter-guide profile lists endorsements from Nebraska Farm Bureau PAC and NRA PAF
An iVoterGuide candidate profile for Harding listed endorsements including the Nebraska Farm Bureau's political action committee and the NRA's political action fund, among others.
Brinker Harding - Candidate Profile · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29endorsementHarding campaign profiled by KETV; Trump endorsement reported
KETV published a campaign profile of Brinker Harding, reporting that former President Donald Trump had endorsed him for the NE-02 race.
Brinker Harding on his campaign for Congress - KETV · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18pollSurveyUSA poll shows Powell leading Harding 46%-42% in NE-02
A SurveyUSA survey of 182 likely voters in Nebraska's 2nd District showed Democrat Denise Powell at 46% and Republican Brinker Harding at 42%, a four-point Powell lead.
2026 NE-02 Poll by SurveyUSA | Politically.com · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Former Rep. and Omaha Mayor Hal Daub officialListed on Harding's campaign endorsements page. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- Rep. Mike Flood officialListed on Harding's campaign endorsements page. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organizationListed as an endorser in Harding's iVoterGuide profile. No date found in sources reviewed. ivoterguide.com
- Treasurer Joey Spellerberg officialListed on Harding's campaign endorsements page. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- Rep. Don Bacon officialListed as a notable endorser on Harding's campaign endorsements page and in Nebraska Public Media's March 25, 2026 candidate overview. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer officialListed as a notable endorser on Harding's campaign endorsements page and in Nebraska Public Media's March 25, 2026 candidate overview. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- Secretary of State Bob Evnen officialListed on Harding's campaign endorsements page. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- Rep. Adrian Smith officialListed on Harding's campaign endorsements page. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- Saunders County GOP organizationListed as an endorser in Harding's iVoterGuide profile. No date found in sources reviewed. ivoterguide.com
- U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts officialListed as a notable endorser on Harding's campaign endorsements page and in Nebraska Public Media's March 25, 2026 candidate overview. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- State Auditor Mike Foley officialListed on Harding's campaign endorsements page. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- Former Gov. Dave Heineman officialListed on Harding's campaign endorsements page. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) unionListed in the 2026 Nebraska House-race roundup's post-primary endorsements. No date provided in sources reviewed. en.wikipedia.org
- Gov. Jim Pillen officialListed as a notable endorser on Harding's campaign endorsements page and in Nebraska Public Media's March 25, 2026 candidate overview. No date provided in sources. brinkerharding.com
- Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC) organizationEndorsed Harding following the Farm Bureau's grassroots selection process, per the Farm Bureau's own announcement on April 17, 2026. nefb.org · Apr 17, 2026
- Donald Trump, President of the United States officialTrump endorsed Harding for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District. Announced by the NRCC on April 14, 2026. nrcc.org · Apr 14, 2026
- Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise, Tom Emmer, and Lisa McClain (House Republican Leadership) officialJoint endorsement posted by House Speaker Mike Johnson on April 14, 2026: 'We are proud to ENDORSE Brinker Harding for Nebraska's 2nd District.' x.com · Apr 14, 2026
- Attorney General Mike Hilgers officialHarding announced the endorsement on January 30, 2026, via his campaign's X account. x.com · Jan 30, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.03M
- Spent
- $964K
- Cash on hand
- $1.07M
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6NE02208(opens in a new tab)
Sources 16
- [1] Get the facts behind CD2 candidates' debate talking points(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Nebraska congressional debate: Brinker Harding vs. Denise Powell(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Without Bacon, can Republicans win Nebraska's 'blue dot'?(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] National GOP pulls CD2 ads; Dems follow suit with Powell(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [5] Reports: Super PACs pull back spending in Nebraska 2nd District race(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [6] 2nd Congressional District voter guide: Democrats look to ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [7] Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [8] Brinker Harding - Candidate Profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [9] Democrats look to regain control of 'blue dot' - The Reader(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [10] Brinker Harding on his campaign for Congress - KETV(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [11] 2026 NE-02 Poll by SurveyUSA | Politically.com(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [12] Nebraska Farm Bureau Endorses Brinker Harding for ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 17, 2026
- [13] 🚨 President Trump Endorses Brinker Harding for Congress(opens in a new tab) Apr 14, 2026
- [14] Mike Johnson on X(opens in a new tab) Apr 14, 2026
- [15] Brinker Harding on X(opens in a new tab) Jan 30, 2026
- [16] 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 7, 2025