Denise
Powell
Denise Powell is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Nebraska's open 2nd Congressional District seat.
- sources
- 22
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 23
Background
Denise Powell is the Democratic nominee for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, running for an open seat. She is a nonincumbent candidate with no prior elected office reported. 51314
Powell co-founded Women Who Run Nebraska in 2017, an organization supporting Nebraskans running for local office, and has taken a leave of absence from the group to campaign. Her campaign describes her as a small-business owner and former corporate executive who left a career in corporate America after the 2016 election. She previously worked in communications and public relations. 92021
Powell is a Florida native who has lived in Nebraska for approximately 15–17 years, having moved to Omaha with her husband. 2021
She won the Democratic primary for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District and has received endorsements from groups including the NRDC Action Fund and ATU-COPE. 710
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Nebraska
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Co-founder and partner, Women Who Run Nebraska (on leave to campaign for Congress)
- Website
- deniseforcongress.org(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11debatePowell and Harding debate at Omaha's Burlington Station in KETV-hosted event
Powell and Harding debated at Burlington Station in Omaha. Powell proposed cutting 'unnecessary expenses' to fund middle-class tax breaks, said tariffs were raising costs, and criticized the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' over Medicaid. She cited an estimate of $4,000 per year in costs for Nebraskans from tariffs; KETV's fact-check noted the Tax Foundation's figure for average household tax increase was $820.
Brinker Harding, Denise Powell go head-to-head on tough issues before November election · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10endorsementHillary Clinton visits Nebraska to campaign for Denise Powell and Lynne Walz
Hillary Clinton made a campaign visit to Nebraska to stump for congressional candidate Denise Powell and gubernatorial candidate Lynne Walz ahead of the November 3 general election.
Election 2026: Hillary Clinton visits Nebraska to stump for Lynne Walz, Denise Powell · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsNational GOP pulls CD2 ads; Democrats follow suit regarding Powell
The Omaha World-Herald reported that national GOP groups pulled advertising in the CD2 race, with Democrats also adjusting their outside spending around Powell.
National GOP pulls CD2 ads; Dems follow suit with Powell · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6pollRepublican super PAC Congressional Leadership Fund withdraws $1.1 million in Omaha TV ads; polling shows Powell ahead by 3–5 points
WOWT reported that the Congressional Leadership Fund pulled back $1.1 million in planned Omaha television advertising. The same report noted that most polling showed Powell leading Harding by three to five points, though Rep. Bacon cautioned that past district polling had been unreliable.
Reports: Super PACs pull back spending in Nebraska 2nd District race · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsPowell calls for ICE overhaul, Medicaid reform, and AI guardrails in KETV interview
In a KETV interview, Powell called for overhauling ICE while opening immigration pathways, advocated for helping Medicaid recipients access preventive care, called for AI guardrails, and said the U.S. needed 'a plan to get out of there' regarding the Iran conflict.
Nebraska District 2 race: Denise Powell pushes policy changes ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsReport: Denise Powell could make history as a congresswoman from Nebraska
Coverage highlighted that Powell's candidacy could be historically significant for Nebraska if she wins the CD2 seat.
Denise Powell Could Make History in Nebraska · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 21newsPowell and Harding make their case ahead of Nebraska's 2nd District general election
Coverage outlined the two candidates' platforms and contrasting visions for the open seat left by retiring Rep. Don Bacon.
Brinker Harding, Denise Powell make their case in Nebraska's 2nd ... · Sep 21, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 20newsPowell reports over $2.6 million raised, $997,000 cash on hand in CD2 race
A September 20 report indicated Powell had raised more than $2.6 million with $997,000 cash on hand. Notable contributions included $5,000 from the American Postal Workers Union, $2,000 from Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and $5,000 from the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners.
Affordabilty top concern in Nebraska flip district · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 19debatePowell and Harding debate scheduled; second debate set for October 14 at Nebraska Public Media
The Omaha World-Herald reported that debates were being arranged for the CD2 candidates. A second televised debate was scheduled for October 14 at Nebraska Public Media's Lincoln studio, set to air live and nationally on C-SPAN.
Powell, Harding set to debate future of Nebraska's CD2 seat · Sep 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 17endorsementEnd Citizens United endorses Denise Powell for Nebraska CD2
End Citizens United announced its endorsement of Powell, as part of its broader memo on 2026 Democratic primary outcomes.
MEMO: Unrig Washington Dominated 2026 Democratic Primaries · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - May 1filingPowell wins Democratic primary for Nebraska's 2nd District by roughly 850 votes over John Cavanaugh
Powell secured the Democratic nomination in the May primary. The primary-night count was unusually close, with her eventual lead over John Cavanaugh described as roughly 850 votes, with results still being updated.
Nebraska Midterm Elections 2026: Key Races, Candidates ... · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Rep. Pat Ryan officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date specified. deniseforcongress.org
- Former Rep. Annie Kuster officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date specified. deniseforcongress.org
- U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly officialListed on Powell's campaign endorsement page; no date shown. deniseforcongress.org
- Former Nebraska state senator Tony Vargas officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date specified. deniseforcongress.org
- Rep. Norma Torres officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date specified. deniseforcongress.org
- Rep. Andrea Salinas officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date specified. deniseforcongress.org
- Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird officialListed on campaign endorsement page; no date specified. deniseforcongress.org
- Nebraska Farmers Union's NEBFARMPAC organizationAnnounced October 8, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · Oct 8, 2026
- Nebraska Teamsters Union Local 554 unionAnnounced September 17, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · Sep 17, 2026
- American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) unionAnnounced August 20, 2026 by AFGE, described as the largest federal employee union. afge.org · Aug 20, 2026
- NRDC Action Fund organizationAnnounced jointly with ATU-COPE on August 5, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · Aug 5, 2026
- ATU-COPE unionAnnounced jointly with NRDC Action Fund on August 5, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · Aug 5, 2026
- Omaha Mayor John Ewing and Dr. Viv Ewing officialAnnounced August 3, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · Aug 3, 2026
- Pete Buttigieg (former U.S. Transportation Secretary) officialEndorsement announced July 7, 2026; appeared with Powell at a campaign event on July 14, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · Jul 7, 2026
- Planned Parenthood Action Fund organizationAnnounced May 26, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · May 26, 2026
- Her Bold Move organizationAnnounced May 26, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · May 26, 2026
- Defend the Vote organizationAnnounced May 26, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · May 26, 2026
- CHC BOLD PAC organizationAnnounced alongside Congressional Black Caucus endorsement on May 6, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · May 6, 2026
- Congressional Black Caucus organizationAnnounced May 6, 2026. Same announcement included CHC BOLD PAC, Elect Democratic Women, EMILYs List, and Nebraska Democratic Party Black and Latino Caucuses. deniseforcongress.org · May 6, 2026
- Elect Democratic Women organizationAnnounced alongside Congressional Black Caucus endorsement on May 6, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · May 6, 2026
- EMILYs List organizationAnnounced alongside Congressional Black Caucus endorsement on May 6, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · May 6, 2026
- Nebraska Democratic Party Black and Latino Caucuses organizationAnnounced alongside Congressional Black Caucus endorsement on May 6, 2026. deniseforcongress.org · May 6, 2026
- U.S. Rep. Emily Randall officialAnnounced November 10, 2025. deniseforcongress.org · Nov 10, 2025
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $2.67M
- Spent
- $1.67M
- Cash on hand
- $997K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6NE02174(opens in a new tab)
Sources 22
- [1] Get the facts behind CD2 candidates' debate talking points(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Brinker Harding, Denise Powell go head-to-head on tough issues before November election(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Election 2026: Hillary Clinton visits Nebraska to stump for Lynne Walz, Denise Powell(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 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] Nebraska District 2 race: Denise Powell pushes policy changes ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [7] Denise Powell Could Make History in Nebraska(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [8] Denise Powell on Her Run for Congress in Nebraska(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [9] Nebraska Midterm Elections 2026: Key Races, Candidates ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [10] Brinker Harding, Denise Powell make their case in Nebraska's 2nd ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 21, 2026
- [11] Affordabilty top concern in Nebraska flip district(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
- [12] Powell, Harding set to debate future of Nebraska's CD2 seat(opens in a new tab) Sep 19, 2026
- [13] MEMO: Unrig Washington Dominated 2026 Democratic Primaries(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [14] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Nebraska's ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 20, 2026
- [15] NRDC Action Fund and ATU-COPE Endorse ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 5, 2026
- [16] Denise Powell Announces Endorsement of Pete Buttigieg, ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 7, 2026
- [17] Denise Powell's Momentum Continues–More National ...(opens in a new tab) May 26, 2026
- [18] Congressional Black Caucus Endorses Denise Powell to Protect ...(opens in a new tab) May 6, 2026
- [19] Priorities(opens in a new tab) Jan 15, 2026
- [20] Congresswoman Emily Randall Endorses ...(opens in a new tab) Nov 10, 2025
- [21] Latest News(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2025
- [22] Endorsements - Denise Powell for Congress(opens in a new tab) Jun 12, 2025