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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Powell leads Cavanaugh in too close to call NE-02 Democratic U.S. House primary

Powell led the Democratic primary as thousands of Douglas County ballots remained uncounted.

Powell leads Cavanaugh in too close to call NE-02 Democratic U.S. House primary
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This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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Republished with credit

Republished from Nebraska Examiner, with credit to the original publisher.

Not enough stories yet: 6 of 10.

Yahoo Newsvia Nebraska Examiner
May 13, 2026
tl;dr

Denise Powell narrowly led John Cavanaugh in Nebraska’s 2nd District Democratic primary, but thousands of Douglas County ballots remained uncounted and the race had not been called by the Associated Press. The eventual nominee will face Republican Brinker Harding.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

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Democratic candidate leading in the Nebraska 2nd District primary

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic candidate trailing Powell in the Nebraska 2nd District primary

Cavanaugh's version of this story ↗

Republican candidate who will face the Democratic nominee

Democratic candidate in the primary

Don Bacon
R · NE-2

Republican U.S. representative who announced he would not seek reelection

North Omaha advocate and former U.S. Senate candidate who attended Powell’s watch party

Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President referenced in the candidates’ campaign statements

Democratic candidate who finished third in the primary

Libertarian candidate in the general election

Democratic candidate who dropped out of the primary

Democratic candidate in the primary

Democratic candidate in the primary

ALSO MENTIONED  Danielle Jensen, Douglas County election commissioner who described the outstanding ballots; Dunixi Guereca, Nebraska state senator who attended Powell’s watch party; Jim Pillen, Nebraska governor who spoke about the importance of the district; John Ewing Jr., Omaha mayor who attended Rhoades’s gathering; Justin Wayne, Former state senator and candidate for Douglas County District Court Clerk; Kathleen Kauth, Nebraska state senator who criticized Democratic candidates at a Republican watch party; Kimara Snipes, Omaha Public Schools Board member who attended Powell’s watch party; Margo Juarez, Nebraska state senator who attended Powell’s watch party

Part of a bigger story

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

Outlets agree Denise Powell won the Democratic primary for Nebraska’s 2nd District, defeating John Cavanaugh, and will face Republican Brinker Harding. Center outlets focus on the result and the coming House race, with some also covering arguments about whether Cavanaugh’s candidacy could affect Nebraska’s split electoral-vote system. Right-leaning outlets describe the primary as contentious and recount competing claims from Powell and Cavanaugh, as well as statements in campaign ads.

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