Powell Wins Nebraska's 2nd District Seat
Democrat Denise Powell was projected to win Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District over Republican Brinker Harding.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democrat Denise Powell was projected to win Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, leading Republican Brinker Harding 59 percent to 39 percent with 71 percent of the vote reported. Powell will fill the seat left open by Republican Rep. Don Bacon's retirement.
Why it matters
The race was rated likely Democratic in final forecasts from the Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball, and Democrats have carried the district in the past two presidential elections. Powell's win would make her the first woman to represent the 2nd District.
With 71 percent of the vote reported, Powell led 59 percent to 39 percent, a 20-point margin. Harris carried the district by 4 points in 2024 and Bacon won reelection by just under 2 points, while Decision Desk HQ gave Powell more than a 90 percent pre-election win probability. The final tally was not yet reported at the time of the projection.
The players
Denise Powell
Democratic candidate who founded an organization to support local candidates across Nebraska before running for Congress.
Brinker Harding
Republican candidate and Omaha City Council member who was backed by President Trump and Rep. Don Bacon.
Don Bacon
Republican congressman who held the 2nd District seat and retired at the end of his term.
Mike Johnson
Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives who campaigned for Harding over the summer.
Hakeem Jeffries
Democratic House Minority Leader who supported Powell's campaign.
The details
Powell, who founded an organization to support local candidates across Nebraska before launching her bid, campaigned against rising prices and the growing wealth of the Trump family. Harding, an Omaha City Council member, was backed by President Trump and Bacon, though he did not attend a Trump rally held in Nebraska in the final weeks of the campaign. House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned for Harding over the summer, while Powell received support from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Hillary Clinton and Pete Buttigieg.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Election day in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
November 4, 2026, 9:51 p.m. EST: Decision Desk HQ projected Powell as the winner with 71 percent of the vote reported.
Summer 2026: House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned for Harding.
2024: Kamala Harris won the district by 4 points in the presidential election.
Season Trajectory
Powell's projected 20-point margin extends the Democratic lean Harris established in the district in 2024, when she carried it by 4 points. The result also reverses the Republican hold Bacon maintained with a margin of just under 2 points in his 2024 reelection.
Nebraska's 2nd District voters now have a new representative who will take the seat Bacon is vacating. The projection is based on partial returns, so the final result will determine which candidate represents the district in Congress.
The takeaway
Watch final vote counts in close or fast-moving races before drawing conclusions, since early projections rest on partial returns. Following certified results is the most reliable way to confirm who won.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Elections for Nebraska's congressional races.
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