Meet U.S. House Candidate
Denise Powell
Nebraska 02
Open Seat
Why This Race Matters
NE 02 has been held by Republican Don Bacon since 2016 when he was the only Republican to flip a House seat. His decision not to seek another term has created an open seat in one of just three Republican–held seats won by Kamala Harris in ‘24 by five points. Bacon won his final re-election in ‘24 by two points. This race represents a clear pick-up opportunity for Democrats. The district is among the most evenly divided in the nation with a slim D+0.8 margin.
Powell was victorious in the May ‘26 Democratic primary, defeating six other candidates, including members of the Omaha political establishment. Her general election opponent is Republican Brinker Harding who was unopposed in the Republican primary.
This race is rated Lean D although the seat is currently Republican.
Hear directly from candidate Powell in this short video:
Background + Experience
Powell moved to Omaha with her husband 17 years ago. She has been deeply engaged in the Omaha community serving the interests of under-resourced populations and addressing the barriers faced by women – particularly women of color. She has been on the boards of the Immigrant legal Center, the Women’s Center for Advancement, and Amplify Arts.
Powell is a former corporate executive, small business owner, healthcare advocate, and public school supporter. This is her first run for political office, but she is well known in political circles from her work recruiting and supporting women candidates in Nebraska.
A 2000 graduate of the University of Miami, Powell worked for public relations firms Edelman-Ketchum and Fleishman-Hillard before working in-house for PepsiCo and Hilton Hotels. After moving to Omaha in 2009, she established her own public relations consulting business. From 2015-2021 Powell was a partner working on external relations for an Omaha architecture firm.
Following the 2026 election, Powell founded Women Who Run, a Nebraska state-level PAC dedicated to recruiting and supporting progressive women running for office.
On the Issues
Powell’s priorities are described in more detail on her campaign website:
- Standing up for hardworking Nebraska families
- Reducing costs
- Protecting access to affordable healthcare
- Defending reproductive healthcare
- Making communities safer
- Working to strengthen the local and national economies
- Focusing on innovation while protecting Nebraska workers
- Supporting Nebraska farmers
- Protecting Nebraska’s education system
- Fighting for democracy - defending the constitution and the nation
- Demanding ethical government
- Maintaining a strong national security and defending our interests abroad
- Demanding real changes to our broken immigration system
“I’d be the first Latina, the first person of color, to ever serve in federal office in Nebraska....People are ready for some change here....they are frustrated by an administration that is breaking its promises, and everyone in my community is really struggling right now. I hear it every day from families, farmers, veterans, and seniors... I’m proud to have earned this opportunity, and I’m ready to fight like hell for Nebraska."
(Powell press release after NE 02 primary victory, 5/15/26)
“I’ll stand up to Trump’s abuse of power and attacks on our democracy, and I’ll work to defend the health, safety and financial well-being of Nebraskan families. I’ll do what career politicians haven’t: Deliver for working people, not special interest groups."
