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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Denise Powell wins contentious Democratic House primary election for retiring Rep. Don Bacon's 'blue dot' Nebraska district

Cavanaugh lost the primary after arguing that Republican groups were backing Powell to improve their chances in November.

Denise Powell wins contentious Democratic House primary election for retiring Rep. Don Bacon's 'blue dot' Nebraska district
Image · New York Post

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Outlet credibilityNew York Post65/100 MEDIUM
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
May 13, 2026
tl;dr

Denise Powell won the Democratic primary for the Nebraska House seat held by retiring Rep. Don Bacon, defeating state Sen. John Cavanaugh in a closely watched race. Powell will face Republican nominee Brinker Harding in November.

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VOTING CLOSED
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No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Cavanaugh in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Cavanaugh’s record.

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Powell’s opponent in the Democratic primary and a Nebraska state senator

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic nominee for the Nebraska House seat

Powell's version of this story ↗

Republican nominee who will face Powell in the general election

Don Bacon
R · NE-2

Retiring representative for the district

Representative who backs Cavanaugh

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Harding

Kamala Harris
Former U.S. Senator (D-CA)

Former vice president, mentioned in reference to the district’s 2024 presidential vote

Jamie Raskin
D · MD-8

Representative who backs Cavanaugh

Greg Casar
D · TX-35

Representative who backs Cavanaugh

Democratic candidate Bacon defeated in the 2024 election

Ro Khanna
D · CA-17

Representative who backs Cavanaugh

ALSO MENTIONED  Jim Pillen, Nebraska governor, named in an advertisement’s argument about the state legislature

Part of a bigger story

17 OUTLETS
John Cavanaugh Concedes Nebraska 2nd District Primary to Denise Powell

Denise Powell won the Democratic primary for Nebraska’s 2nd District, defeating John Cavanaugh, and will face Republican Brinker Harding in November. Center outlets emphasize the result and the competitive November race, with some also examining arguments over Nebraska’s Electoral College allocation. Right-leaning outlets emphasize the contentious campaign and Cavanaugh’s claim that Republican groups backed Powell to improve their November chances.

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