Denise Powell Flips Nebraska’s Second District in Historic Midterm Win
Nebraska politics shifted on Tuesday night as Denise Powell secured a victory in the midterm election, defeating Republican candidate Brinker Harding and Libertarian Eric Foreman. With this win, Powell becomes the first woman to represent District 2 and the first-ever Latina to represent Nebraska in the federal government. The result marks a significant turning point for the “blue dot” of Omaha, as Powell prepares to take the seat previously held by long-time Rep. Don Bacon, who opted not to seek reelection after serving since 2017.
“This is a team effort and there’s no way we could’ve won this thing without all of you,” Powell said. “Not only did you help elect the first woman and first Latina to ever hold this seat, but you helped send a clear message to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”
A Shift in the Economic Narrative
By drawing on her background in grassroots advocacy—specifically her 2024 ballot initiative work regarding minimum wage expansion and paid sick leave—she positioned herself as a candidate focused on tangible economic relief. Powell emphasized that her priority is addressing the systemic hurdles that prevent families from keeping up with rising costs, citing the financial strain caused by the war in Iran and the cost of diesel as primary areas of concern.
When discussing the complexities of the healthcare system, Powell noted that Medicaid recipients currently struggle to use the system, calling for a broad, streamlined approach. She emphasized this by framing the election as a choice between "common sense" and "chaos."
The Road Behind and the Challenges Ahead
Brinker Harding, who confirmed he had called Powell to concede, reflected on the intensity of the race. “I called Denise about 20 minutes ago and wished her the best. Told her it wasn’t our night,” Harding stated. Despite the defeat, Harding signaled that he remains engaged on Omaha’s City Council and noted that he intends to finish that race.
The transition of power from Bacon to Powell also marks the first time a Democrat will hold the seat since Brad Ashford, who served from 2015 to 2017. While Powell is not a career politician, she maintains that her lack of a traditional political resume is an asset rather than a liability. She argues that her understanding of local needs—what she describes as knowing “what makes Nebraskans tick”—will guide her in Washington.
Powell Demands Structural Overhaul of Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Beyond local economic concerns, Powell has been vocal about the need for structural changes at the federal level, specifically regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She has consistently called for an overhaul of the agency. “We can secure borders, and we can also make sure that we are opening pathways to folks who want to come to this country and be contributors to society,” she said.
As the midterm election concludes, the outcome in the 2nd District highlights the election of Denise Powell.
