U.S. House · Nebraska's 2nd District
Omaha and eastern Sarpy County
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
RESULT · UNOFFICIAL UNTIL CERTIFIED
Denise Powell, projected winner
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Denise Powell | 143,785 | 56.6% |
| Brinker Harding | 103,494 | 40.8% |
| Eric Foreman | 6,557 | 2.6% |
About 96% of the expected vote counted. As of November 9. Winners take office next year. Counts can change until states certify. NBC News ↗
Sources re-checked September 25, 2026 · How we research
- The seat is open because incumbent Rep. Don Bacon (R) did not seek re-election. Brinker Harding was the only candidate to make the Republican primary ballot after Don Bacon and Brett Lindstrom did not enter. Denise Powell won a seven-way Democratic primary with 38.8% of the vote, narrowly ahead of John Cavanaugh (36.4%), with Crystal Rhoades, Kishla Askins and Melanie Williams also running. Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index rated the district D+3 based on presidential voting patterns.[1]
On the November 3 ballot · 3 candidates
Issue evidence — side by side
Recorded votes, documented positions and candidates’ own words are shown with sources. “In their own words” quotes a candidate on the topic without inferring a stance. Votes describe specific bills or motions; they do not establish overall support or opposition to a broad issue. A dash means our research has no evidence on that topic, not that the candidate has no position.
Protect legal access to abortion
- Denise PowellSupports[2]
Supports restoring nationwide abortion rights and expanding access to contraception and fertility treatments.
- Brinker Harding—
- Eric Michael Foreman—
Stricter gun laws
- Denise PowellSupports[2]
Supports universal background checks and red-flag laws.
- Brinker Harding—
- Eric Michael ForemanIn their own words[4]
“Liberty first. Protect the Constitution, Your right to Self defense, free speech, and the right to live free from government meddling in our lives, faith, and families.”
In his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey
Raise taxes on high earners or corporations
- Denise Powell—
- Brinker Harding—
- Eric Michael ForemanIn their own words[4]
“Lower taxes for the Lower 85% of Americans that make less than 200k a year, cut the waste, prosecute the fraud, and let hardworking Nebraskans keep more of what they earn.”
In his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey
Expand public health coverage
- Denise PowellSupports[2]
Supports creating a Medicare-like public option and letting Medicare negotiate more prescription-drug prices.
- Brinker HardingMixed[3]
His 2026 campaign website says he would protect Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare for seniors, veterans, single mothers and people with disabilities, but not for people in the country illegally or able-bodied adults.
- Eric Michael Foreman—
Faster transition away from fossil fuels
- Denise PowellSupports[2]
Her 2026 campaign website lists expanding clean energy production among her priorities for lowering costs while protecting the environment.
- Brinker Harding—
- Eric Michael Foreman—
Increase police funding and staffing
- Denise Powell—
- Brinker HardingSupports[3]
Says he supported a record pay raise for Omaha police officers on the City Council and cites Omaha's falling violent-crime rate as a result.
- Eric Michael Foreman—
Broad tariffs on imported goods
- Denise PowellOpposes[2]
Her campaign site calls for stopping what she calls Trump's illegal tariffs, while also supporting targeted tariffs on specific imports like beef and soybeans.
- Brinker Harding—
- Eric Michael Foreman—
Research notes & limits
Powell's and Harding's positions are drawn from campaign-website text as quoted verbatim on their Ballotpedia profiles; Powell's own campaign site could not be reached directly in this environment, and no birthplace or education was found for her or Foreman in sources that could be loaded. Foreman's positions are from his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
Sources · 20
Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.Denise Powell's 2026 campaign website, quoted verbatim · Denise Powell 2026 campaign website (via Ballotpedia) · 2026-04-28 Candidate's own words
- 3.Brinker Harding's 2026 campaign website, quoted verbatim · Brinker Harding 2026 campaign website (via Ballotpedia) · 2026-07-22 Candidate's own words
- 4.Eric Michael Foreman's Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
- 5.Denise Powell · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 6.Denise Powell's 2026 campaign website, quoted verbatim · Denise Powell 2026 campaign website (via Ballotpedia) · 2026-04-28 Candidate's own words
- 7.Omaha business owner announces her bid for Congress · 3 News Now (KMTV) News report
- 8.How did Denise Powell beat an Omaha dynasty in NE-02? · WOWT / Nebraska Examiner · 2026-05-21 News report
- 9.Denise Powell Could Make History in Nebraska — But That's Not Why She's Running · Katie Couric Media · 2026-09-28 News report
- 10.Nebraska 2nd District U.S. House election results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 11.Brinker Harding · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 12.Brinker Harding's 2026 campaign website, quoted verbatim · Brinker Harding 2026 campaign website (via Ballotpedia) · 2026-07-22 Candidate's own words
- 13.About Brinker · Brinker Harding for Congress Candidate's own words
- 14.Brinker Harding · BallotReady Reference
- 15.United States House of Representatives elections in Nebraska, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 16.Republican Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding aims to win 2nd District House seat · Flatwater Free Press · 2026-10-15 News report
- 17.U.S. House Nebraska's 2nd District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 18.Eric Michael Foreman · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 19.Eric Michael Foreman's Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey responses · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
- 20.U.S. House Nebraska's 2nd District results 2026 · NBC News News report