Congressional District 2 race, candidates vie for the spot to replace Rep. Don Bacon

OMAHA, Neb. —

Congressional District 2 candidates vie for the seat as the general election inches closer.

The primary race candidates have received endorsements and worked across the district to win votes.

From the primary to the months leading up to the general election in November, NE-02 candidates have been busy.

“She represents somebody who I know will stand tough and firm but also knows how to treat other people the right way,” Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said at an event endorsing Democrat Denise Powell.

Powell was also recently endorsed by Omaha mayor John Ewing Jr.

“Even this last quarter, 90% of our contributions were under $100, and we raised $1.2 million,” Powell said. “And again, every single one of those is really meaningful.”

Omaha City Council member Brinker Harding received support from U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and the U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

“You come to a place like Omaha. I’ve been here before, and, you know, the people — you can see the energy in this room,” Scalise said. “It just tells you they know what’s at stake.”

Harding added, “It also should send a clear message how important this race is, how hard we’ve been working, and how hard we’re going to keep working until we’re victorious.”

Libertarian Party NE-02 candidate Eric Foreman said he’s not taking any endorsements.

“So far, I haven’t spent even the threshold of the $5,000 to have to file every donation that I have gotten. I haven’t touched a penny of their money,” Foreman said. “My hopes are that I can run for way. Win or lose at the end of it. I’d like to be able to return the money to all my donors.”

All candidates say if they’re elected, they will work on both sides of the aisle.

“Affordability and accountability. My opponent. That’s not what she was campaigning on in her primary,” Harding said.

Powell said, “There’s a real desire to do what’s right for the people of this state and not just for the right party, not just for the left party, but just for the people of the state.”

Foreman said he wants to find a compromise somewhere in the middle.

“Learning how we can build that bridge for that coalition to work together and be united and stop the division on us,” Foreman said.

Harding submitted his 2026 financial disclosure, and Powell will submit hers in two days after she asked for a 90-day extension back in April. She said it was due during the primary election, which was busy for her.

Click here to view Powell’s 2025 financial disclosure.

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