Powell Wins Democratic Primary in Nebraska's 2nd District
Political organizer Denise Powell has won the Democratic primary election for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, defeating state Senator John Cavanaugh and four other candidates. The Associated Press called the race on May 13, 2025, after analyzing outstanding ballots.
Election Results
With approximately 89% of votes counted, Powell led Cavanaugh by 2.1 percentage points, a margin of roughly 1,080 votes out of over 51,000 ballots cast. Analysts determined that Cavanaugh would need to secure about 18 percentage points of the remaining uncounted votes to close the gap—a margin he had not achieved in prior vote updates. The final margin may shift as all ballots are counted.
Powell will face Republican nominee Brinker Harding in the general election. Harding, an Omaha City Council member who received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.
The Primary Campaign
The Democratic primary campaign focused heavily on a state-specific issue regarding Nebraska's method of allocating electoral votes. Nebraska and Maine are the only two states that allocate electoral votes by congressional district. Under this system, the statewide winner receives two electoral votes, and one electoral vote goes to the winner of each congressional district. The 2nd District's electoral vote has gone to Democratic presidential candidates in 2008, 2020, and 2024.
The "Blue Dot" Debate
"We cannot afford a candidate whose campaign hands Republicans the votes to gerrymander us into oblivion."
— Denise Powell
During the campaign, Powell argued that if Cavanaugh won the House seat, he would vacate his state legislative seat. Under Nebraska law, Republican Governor Jim Pillen would then appoint a replacement. Powell contended that such an appointee would support changing Nebraska to a winner-take-all electoral system, eliminating the district's single electoral vote.
Cavanaugh countered that he would not resign his state seat until January, after new state senators are elected, and that Democrats planned to gain enough seats to offset his departure. Six state senators signed an open letter supporting Cavanaugh, stating that the threat to the district-based allocation system was exaggerated.
"It is disingenuous to boil the fate of Nebraskans down to one person."
— Six state senators in an open letter
Outside progressive political action committees spent over $1 million on advertisements supporting Powell's argument.
Statements from the Campaign
Following her victory, Powell said:
"This country and Nebraska are worth fighting for — and I'm ready to spend the next six months working for every vote and sharing my vision for Nebraska."
Nebraska Republican Party Chair Mary Jane Truemper responded:
"The left wants Nebraska, and we are going to make sure they don't get it."
Context and Implications
The seat is open due to the retirement of Republican Representative Don Bacon, who announced in 2024 that he would not seek re-election. Bacon was one of three House Republicans who won districts carried by Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024.
The 2nd District, which includes Omaha and its suburbs, is considered politically competitive. The Cook Political Report rates the district as leaning Democratic. Nebraska's state legislature currently has a Republican supermajority.
Electoral College Allocation
In 2024, President Trump and allies attempted to change Nebraska's electoral vote allocation to a winner-take-all system but failed due to opposition from state lawmakers, including Cavanaugh. Governor Pillen has indicated he will attempt to change the law if he can secure sufficient support. An effort to change the system failed by two votes in 2025.
Powell's victory avoids the scenario where a Cavanaugh win would have allowed the governor to appoint a replacement for his state senate term ending in 2028.
Other Primary Results
In the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate race, Cindy Burbank won against William Forbes. Burbank had stated her intention to withdraw from the race if she won the primary. The Nebraska Democratic Party endorsed Burbank for the primary but has backed independent candidate Dan Osborn for the general election, who is considered by Democrats to have the best chance against Republican Senator Pete Ricketts. Burbank has said she wants to clear the field for a direct contest between Osborn and Ricketts. Forbes, a pastor registered as a Democrat, has voted for Donald Trump and opposes abortion access. Democrats characterized Forbes as a Republican plant.