Trending Now - Denise Powell Gains Momentum in Nebraska Democratic Primary

WHO:

Newsweek - Denise Powell is a political activist running in the Democratic primary for Nebraska's open 2nd District.

Roll Call - John Cavanaugh is a state senator and Powell's chief competitor in the Democratic primary.

Roll Call - Brinker Harding is a Republican Omaha City Council member running in the general election.

Roll Call - Crystal Rhoades is the Douglas County District Court Clerk.

Roll Call - Kishla Askins is a Navy veteran and candidate in the Democratic primary.

Roll Call - Kamala Harris is mentioned as having won the 2nd District by 5 points in 2024.

Roll Call - Jim Pillen is the Republican Governor of Nebraska.

Roll Call - William Forbes is an anti-abortion pastor running in the Senate Democratic primary.

Roll Call - Cindy Burbank is a retired pharmacy technician who won the Senate Democratic primary.

WHAT:

Newsweek - The Democratic primary for Nebraska's open 2nd District is seen as crucial for flipping the seat.

Roll Call - Denise Powell led the Democratic primary with 39 percent of the vote, while John Cavanaugh had 37 percent, a difference of around 1,080 votes.

Roll Call - The primary results showed Powell with 39 percent, Cavanaugh with 37 percent, Askins with 14 percent, and Rhoades with 6 percent.

Roll Call - Burbank won the Senate Democratic primary with 89 percent of the vote against Forbes, who had 11 percent.

Roll Call - Inside Elections rates the general election for the 2nd District as Tilt Democratic and the Senate race as Likely Republican.

WHERE:

Newsweek - The 2nd District is centered on Omaha, Nebraska.

Roll Call - The Senate Democratic primary took place in Nebraska.

WHEN:

Roll Call - The Democratic primary for the 2nd District was held on a Tuesday.

Roll Call - The general election is scheduled for November.

WHY:

Roll Call - Democrats aim to flip the 2nd District seat to gain control of the House.

Roll Call - Concerns were raised that a victory by Cavanaugh could jeopardize the Democratic electoral vote in the district.

HOW:

Roll Call - The primary campaign featured an influx of outside money and negative attack ads.

Roll Call - Burbank has pledged to drop out of the Senate race once independent Dan Osborn secures enough signatures for the November ballot.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 17:44 UTC)

Denise Powell is leading the Democratic primary for Nebraska's open 2nd District, currently holding 39 percent of the vote, just ahead of state senator John Cavanaugh, who has 37 percent. In the Senate Democratic primary, Cindy Burbank won decisively with 89 percent against William Forbes, and she has pledged to withdraw from the race once independent Dan Osborn qualifies for the November ballot. The general election for the 2nd District is anticipated to be competitive, with Democrats aiming to flip the seat to gain control of the House, while the Senate race is rated as Likely Republican.