Who's running in Nebraska's 2nd congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Balanced budgets and lower property taxes, pointing to three Omaha levy cuts he voted for.
Supporting police, including the record pay raise the city gave officers.
Working 'with both sides to bring down the cost of living.'
The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act and President Trump's economic policies.
Keeping 'heartland values' against Democratic socialists he says are 'trying to get here to Nebraska.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Omaha City Council since 2017; former chief of staff to Mayor Hal Daub.
Unopposed in the May 12, 2026 Republican primary.
Voted to uphold Mayor Jean Stothert's 2024 veto of fire department funding, per the DCCC.
Had not filed either required personal financial disclosure as of May 2026, which he called an oversight, per Nebraska Public Media.
Raised $2.03 million as of June 30, 2026, per Ballotpedia; endorsed by President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson.
Arguments in favor
Harding is 'a pragmatic, smart Republican' who can compete for the independent voters who decide the district.
— Rep. Don Bacon, retiring Republican incumbent (Nebraska Examiner)
The race is a contest between 'common sense and crazy', and Harding is the common-sense candidate.
— House Speaker Mike Johnson (Nebraska Examiner)
Arguments against
'Brinker Harding is another empty suit that Donald Trump and his MAGA extremists would control in Congress'; he backed the Medicaid cuts in the 2025 tax law and voted against funding to hire more Omaha firefighters.
— DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene and DCCC
Harding has embraced the tax and spending law 'even after it dumped thousands of our neighbors off their health insurance' and backs the Iran war: 'Mike Johnson and Donald Trump know Brinker Harding is just a rubber stamp for their agenda.'
'Brinker Harding has had 10 months to file his personal financial disclosure but for some reason he decided voters don't deserve basic transparency. What is he hiding?'
— DCCC spokesperson Madison Andrus (Nebraska Public Media)
What we couldn’t verify
Whether Harding has since filed his personal financial disclosures was not found in a loaded source.
Debate plans had not been reported in a loaded source.
Lowering the cost of living and fighting corruption.
Protecting and expanding affordable health care, including opposing the 2025 Medicaid cuts.
Congressional oversight of tariff policy, which she says has hurt farmers and families.
Opposing the Iran war.
Codifying Roe v. Wade and protecting contraception and IVF.
Fully funding local first responders.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office; co-founder of Women Who Run Nebraska PAC.
Won the May 12, 2026 Democratic primary over state Sen. John Cavanaugh and five others.
Worked in outreach and communications for the Sixteen Thirty Fund and New Venture Fund, nonprofits named in a Nebraska attorney general lawsuit; she says she had no role in fundraising.
Raised $2.67 million as of June 30, 2026, per Ballotpedia; endorsed by EMILY's List and named to the DCCC's Red to Blue program.
Arguments in favor
Powell 'is a business and community leader who has fought for Nebraska's working families for years' and 'has already stood up to extremists in Nebraska on multiple fronts.'
— DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene
Powell is a leader, and the district 'can do better' than Harding.
— Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (Nebraska Examiner)
Arguments against
'Dark money Denise' should 'answer for' her work with the Sixteen Thirty Fund and New Venture Fund; the nickname was coined by her Democratic primary opponent.
— Brinker Harding, Republican opponent (Nebraska Public Media)
'Denise comes from the more left wing of the party. Her challenge is going to be how she can also compete in the middle.'
— Rep. Don Bacon (Nebraska Examiner)
Powell opposed the 2023 law restricting puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender surgery for minors, and is tied to a group that pushes sex education for kindergartners.
— Republican congressional campaign committee and Nebraska Republican Party, amplifying Fox News and Daily Wire stories (Nebraska Examiner)
What we couldn’t verify
Powell calls the Republican attacks 'easy jabs' and says her nonprofit work did not involve fundraising; the attorney general's lawsuit was not examined in a loaded source.
Debate plans had not been reported in a loaded source.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Nebraska's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: the 2021 districts remain in use. Gov. Jim Pillen said in October 2025 he was 'open' to mid-decade redistricting under White House pressure, but no redraw was enacted and no pending congressional map case was found. This is an open seat: Republican Rep. Don Bacon, who has held it since 2017, is retiring. Primaries were held May 12, 2026. The roster matches the Nebraska Secretary of State's final general election candidate filing list (September 11, 2026): Republican Brinker Harding, unopposed in his primary; Democrat Denise Powell, who won a crowded primary over state Sen. John Cavanaugh and others; and Libertarian Eric Michael Foreman. A nonpartisan filer, Christopher Feuerbach, did not make the ballot. The district covers all of Douglas and Saunders counties, including Omaha, and much of western Sarpy County. Bacon won 50.9% in 2024 while Kamala Harris carried the district 51.6% to 47.0%. The NRCC has named Harding to its MAGA Majority program and the DCCC has named Powell to Red to Blue. Candidates are listed in the order of the Secretary of State's filing list; that is not necessarily the printed ballot order, and it implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Nebraska ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.