Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
9.5%
39.5%
15%
5%
NE-02 Democratic nominee?
$432.2K
MAY 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePolitical activist
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationNebraska
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BackgroundPolitical activist
Notable personal detailsDenise Blaya Powell is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. She is the co-founder of Women Who Run Nebraska and has worked in community relations and grassroots marketing. Powell has described herself as a mom, small business owner, and former corporate executive focused on public schools and health care advocacy. In May 2026, she won the Democratic primary for NE-02.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govdeniseforcongress.orgapnews.comcinnamon-tuna-la9y.squarespace.comvpm.orgkpbs.orgwashingtonpost.comopb.orgwunc.orgnebraskaexaminer.comkalshi.comklin.comdemocrats.orgen.wikipedia.orgpoderpac.comdocquery.fec.govboldpac.comyahoo.compodcasts.apple.commedsocietiesforclimatehealth.orgimmigrationforum.orgcongress.govuscis.techmis.comstanton.house.govcbsnews.comwmur.comgvwire.com3newsnow.comemilyslist.orgnebraskapublicmedia.orgwowt.comrollcall.comprospect.orgnpr.orgflatwaterfreepress.orgthereader.comnypost.comomaha.comaol.comnytimes.comnrcc.orgfacebook.cominstagram.comlocalcandidates.orgballotready.orgbacon.house.govnga.orghistory.house.govgovinfo.gov
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 10, 2026
Denise Powell won the Democratic nomination in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District after a competitive primary, and she will now face Republican Brinker Harding in the general election. The Omaha-area seat is one of the most closely watched House races in 2026 and is seen as a major Democratic target. Recent coverage also noted that Republican-aligned groups ran ads in the primary that appeared aimed at helping Powell over her main rival, John Cavanaugh.
fec.gov+48
Articles
OWOmaha World-Herald1 month ago
How Denise Powell surged to the Democratic nomination in CD2
Positive
TAThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution2 months ago
Denise Powell wins Democratic primary in Nebraska’s ‘blue dot’ 2nd District
Positive
NNNBC News2 months ago
Denise Powell wins Democratic primary for top House battleground district in Nebraska
Positive
TAThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution2 months ago
Nebraska Democrats in tight primary race for state's 'blue dot' US House seat
Neutral
Polls
NE-02 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
NE-02 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Denise Powell for NE-02 Democratic nominee?
EMILYs List
Public endorsement
EMILYs List endorsed Denise Powell in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary.
Nebraska Democratic Party Black Caucus
Advocacy group
The Nebraska Democratic Party Black Caucus endorsed Denise Powell for Congress.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.6M
$1.2M
$809.0K
$404.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.6M
$324.0K
$1.3M
$80.9K
Source: FEC