Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
9.5%
39.5%
15%
5%
Democrat
Denise Powell
Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Nebraska
NE-02 Democratic nominee?
$432.2K
MAY 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Denise Powell is trading at 99% to win the NE-02 Democratic nominee? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current rolePolitical candidate
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationNebraska
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BackgroundPolitical candidate
Notable personal detailsDenise Powell is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. She co-founded Women Who Run Nebraska, a group focused on recruiting and training women to run for office, and has worked in community relations and grassroots marketing. She describes herself as a mom, small business owner, former corporate executive, and an advocate for public schools and health care.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govdeniseforcongress.orgwomenwhorunne.orgnebraskaexaminer.comdocquery.fec.govwashingtonpost.comkalshi.comreddit.comen.wikipedia.orgpoderpac.comlegislature.nebraska.govlinkedin.comgt.linkedin.comboldpac.comyahoo.compodcasts.apple.commedsocietiesforclimatehealth.orgimmigrationforum.orgcongress.govuscis.techmis.comstanton.house.govcbsnews.comwmur.comgvwire.comafge.orgwowt.comendcitizensunited.orgballotpedia.orgomaha.comhrc.orglocalcandidates.orgfacebook.com3newsnow.comemilyslist.orgnebraskapublicmedia.orgthereader.comprospect.orgnebraska.tvrollcall.compbs.orgksat.comdisclosures-clerk.house.govballotready.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgvotesmart.orgstatic.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Denise Powell positions herself against tax breaks for billionaires and emphasizes lowering costs for working families while protecting social programs like Medicaid and Social Security. Her campaign highlights fighting economic inequality, cracking down on dark money, and prioritizing investments in communities and public services.
Healthcare
Supports protecting and expanding access to government programs like Medicaid, lowering healthcare costs and premiums for working families, and defending access to reproductive healthcare. Emphasizes preserving Medicaid and Social Security and opposing policies that would dismantle those programs.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports abortion rights and has worked locally to oppose abortion bans; she has been endorsed by EMILY’s List, an organization that backs pro-choice Democratic women. Her campaign materials describe efforts to stop extremists from passing abortion restrictions in Nebraska and frame protecting women’s rights as a campaign priority.
Climate & Energy
Supports clean energy solutions and frames rising energy costs as a priority for constituents; has engaged with climate and health advocacy efforts. Emphasizes investment and policy action to address energy affordability and public health impacts of climate change.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 29, 2026
Denise Powell has won the Democratic nomination in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District and is now set to face Republican Brinker Harding in the general election for the Omaha-area House seat. The race is drawing attention because the district is a major battleground and the seat is open with Rep. Don Bacon not seeking re-election. Powell has also recently drawn notice for a social media post urging supporters to cope with Donald Trump’s return by reading "fairy smut."
fec.gov+46
Articles
NYNew York Post2 months ago
Denise Powell told voters to read 'fairy smut' to cope with Trump
Positive
OWOmaha World-Herald3 months ago
How Denise Powell surged to the Democratic nomination in CD2
Positive
TAThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution4 months ago
Denise Powell wins Democratic primary in Nebraska’s ‘blue dot’ 2nd District
Positive
NNNBC News4 months ago
Denise Powell wins Democratic primary for top House battleground district in Nebraska
Positive
Latest Polls
NE-02 Democratic nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Denise Powell currently averages 9.5%, ranking third in this race, 5.5 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 9.5%Position: thirdMargin: -5.5 ptsLatest poll: 10.0% (Jan 8 - 12)Polls included: 2
Average recalculated from polls through Jan 8 - 12.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$2.7M
$2.0M
$1.3M
$667.1K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$2.7M
$997.4K
$1.7M
$92.8K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements