Democrat Denise Powell won Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating Republican Brinker Harding for the Omaha-area seat that Rep. Don Bacon is leaving after a decade in Congress. The Associated Press called the race at 11:57 p.m..
Powell received 57.7% of the vote, compared with 40% for Harding, according to the AP. Libertarian Eric Foreman also was on the ballot. Powell’s victory returns the district to Democratic representation after roughly 10 years of Republican control.
An open seat after Bacon’s retirement
Bacon, a Republican, has represented the district since 2017, when he defeated Brad Ashford and became the only Republican to defeat an incumbent Democrat in the 2016 U.S. House elections. Bacon chose not to seek another term in 2026, leaving both parties competing for an open seat in a district that has been closely watched in recent presidential elections.
The district supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election by four percentage points, even as Nebraska’s other two congressional districts supported President Donald Trump. Nebraska is one of two states that award some Electoral College votes by congressional district rather than solely on the statewide result.
Powell emerged from a competitive Democratic primary in May. During the general-election campaign, she focused on lowering costs, economic growth and protecting democracy. Her platform included stopping President Donald Trump’s tariffs, expanding the Affordable Care Act, passing a long-term Farm Bill and restoring the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Harding, an Omaha city councilman, received Bacon’s endorsement as well as support from Trump and Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts. He presented himself as a candidate who could work across party lines and emphasized affordability and accountability.
“with anyone who wants to get something done”
Harding used that phrase while describing how he would approach the work of the House. His platform also included year-round sales of E15 gasoline, broader access to in vitro fertilization, body cameras for federal immigration officers and a nationwide voter-identification requirement.
What the result changes
- Powell will represent the Omaha-area 2nd District in the U.S. House.
- Harding’s defeat leaves the seat open after Bacon’s retirement.
- The district had backed Harris in 2024 while Nebraska’s 1st and 3rd districts backed Trump.
Powell’s win gives Democrats the district’s House seat after the party’s nominee prevailed in a race that drew national attention. Harding had argued that his experience on Omaha’s officially nonpartisan City Council would help him work with members of either party. Powell had sought to link him to Trump and the president’s policy agenda.
