{"id":2601514,"date":"2026-05-12T06:07:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T10:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nebraska-democrats-to-pick-nominee-in-fight-for-blue-dot\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T06:07:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T10:07:24","slug":"nebraska-democrats-to-pick-nominee-in-fight-for-blue-dot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nebraska-democrats-to-pick-nominee-in-fight-for-blue-dot\/","title":{"rendered":"Nebraska Democrats to pick nominee in fight for &#8216;Blue Dot&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnebraska-democrats-to-pick-nominee-in-fight-for-blue-dot%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2601514&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>democrats are aiming to flip retiring Rep. Don Bacon\u2019s (R-NE) House seat, but they first must determine their nominee in Nebraska\u2019s Democratic primary Tuesday between state Sen. John Cavanaugh and marketing consultant Denise Powell. The race is framed as a fight over the party\u2019s ability to protect Nebraska\u2019s \u201cblue dot,\u201d which awards a single electoral vote by district rather than statewide winner-take-all.<\/p>\n<p>Powell, backed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus\u2019s campaign arm, argues Cavanaugh\u2019s election would give Republican Gov. Jim Pillen an opening to appoint a Republican to fill the remainder of Cavanaugh\u2019s state Senate seat-possibly enabling republicans to eliminate the blue dot. She warns that losing that electoral leverage would hurt Democrats far beyond November.<\/p>\n<p>Cavanaugh, backed by the congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, rejects the idea Democrats will lose their foothold, arguing he will stay in the state legislature through at least January and that stronger Democratic performance this fall could increase votes needed to defend the blue dot and reproductive rights.<\/p>\n<p>Several other Democrats are also running,but Cavanaugh and Powell are viewed as the front-runners. The primary has drawn heavy spending from outside groups (over $5 million, per the Nebraska examiner), and Republicans have also entered the fight with ads criticizing Cavanaugh. The winner will face Republican Brinker Harding, an omaha city councilman, in November.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"249\">Democrats<\/a> are bullish that they can flip retiring Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/don-bacon\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17566\">Don Bacon<\/a>\u2019s (R-NE) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11272\">House<\/a> seat in November as the party tries to gain control of the lower chamber. <\/p>\n<p>But first, voters must decide Tuesday between state Sen. John Cavanaugh and marketing consultant Denise Powell in the Democratic primary. Cavanaugh and Powell are locked in a bitter battle for the nomination, with the survival of the state\u2019s so-called blue dot becoming a flash point in the election. <\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4562955\/thomas-massie-strikes-positive-tone-final-primary-campaign-ad\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Thomas Massie strikes positive tone in final primary campaign ad<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4562122\/virginia-democrats-spelling-mistakes-redistricting-documents\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Virginia Democrats roasted over spelling mistakes in redistricting documents<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4561813\/gop-redistricting-midterm-campaigns-trump\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>GOP redistricting plans infuse energy into midterm campaigns while Trump\u2019s popularity wanes<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Cavanaugh\u2019s campaign, backed by the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, has been mired in debate over whether his election would wind up hurting the Democratic Party in 2028, an argument that has been amplified by Powell.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Powell, backed by the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, has blasted on the airwaves that Cavanaugh\u2019s election would allow Republicans to get rid of the state\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/we-dont-know-who-these-people-are-victor-davis-hanson-says-biden-border-crisis-is-like-the-end-of-the-roman-empire\/\" title=\"\u2018We Don\u2019t Know Who These People Are\u2019: Victor Davis Hanson Says Biden Border Crisis Is Like The End Of The Roman Empire\">electoral college system<\/a>, which allows each district to have a single vote, in favor of a winner-take-all system. <\/p>\n<p>In 2024, Nebraska\u2019s blue dot awarded Vice President Kamala Harris one electoral vote, while the rest of the state gave Donald Trump its remaining four votes. In the lead-up to the presidential election, Trump pressured Nebraska GOP lawmakers to switch to a winner-take-all approach amid fears the 2024 race would come down to a handful of Electoral College votes.<\/p>\n<p>Powell and her allies argue that Cavanaugh\u2019s appointment would allow Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) to appoint a Republican to fill the remainder of his state Senate term, giving state GOP lawmakers an opportunity to eliminate Nebraska\u2019s blue dot. <\/p>\n<p>Republicans currently hold a 33-16 supermajority in Nebraska\u2019s unicameral legislature, which is technically nonpartisan. <\/p>\n<p>Under the current configuration, Democrats only need the support of one GOP vote to block legislation they oppose via filibuster. Such defections have helped Democrats defeat a six-week abortion ban, lowering the state\u2019s minimum wage, and ending the district-by<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >-district electoral college system<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If Cavanaugh wins and Pillen appoints a Republican, that leverage could be harder to wield. Even though Cavanaugh\u2019s state legislature seat is heavily Democratic and the appointment would only be for two years, Republicans would likely make the most of the opportunity. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have fought so hard for fair representation, our Blue Dot, and to retain that electoral power,\u201d Powell said in a May 8 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/deniseforcongress.org\/as-virginia-and-tennessee-lose-fair-maps-ne-02-could-be-next-if-cavanaugh-leaves-the-unicameral\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/deniseforcongress.org\/as-virginia-and-tennessee-lose-fair-maps-ne-02-could-be-next-if-cavanaugh-leaves-the-unicameral\/\">statement<\/a>. \u201cWe cannot afford a candidate whose campaign hands Republicans the votes to gerrymander us into oblivion.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Powell continued, \u201cSending John Cavanaugh out of the Unicameral and into a congressional seat he can\u2019t protect is exactly how we lose NE-02 \u2014 not just in November, but for the foreseeable future. Nebraskans deserve better, and on May 12, they have the chance to choose better.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cavanaugh has rejected the notion that Democrats will lose their foothold in Nebraska if he wins the nomination. He\u2019s also not to resign until January after Democrats have the opportunity to gain seats in the legislature this November. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cSince joining the Legislature, I have helped lead the progressive fight to secure the blue dot and protect reproductive rights,\u201d Cavanaugh said in a statement regarding the blue dot. \u201cDemocrats do not have to choose between standing up to Trump and protecting our Blue Dot. With strong Democrats running this cycle, I believe we will pick up seats in November, giving us more votes to protect the Blue Dot and reproductive healthcare.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>There other Democrats are also running: Army veteran Kishla Askins, nonprofit founder Melanie Williams, and Douglas County district court clerk Crystal Rhoades. However, Cavanaugh and Powell are seen as the front-runners. <\/p>\n<p>The bitter Democratic primary has seen significant spending from outside groups, with over $5 million having been spent, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/nebraskaexaminer.com\/2026\/05\/11\/outside-spending-reaches-fever-pitch-in-ne-02-dem-primary-as-candidates-spar-over-dark-money\/\">according to<\/a> the <em>Nebraska Examiner<\/em>. Republicans have gotten involved too, with American Action Network, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-biden-ambassador-picks-served-on-board-of-china-backed-group\/\" title=\"Top Biden Ambassador Picks Served on Board of China-Backed Group\">nonprofit group tied<\/a> to House GOP leaders, purchasing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/swing-vote-manchin-received-major-advertising-attention-throughout-2021\/\" title=\"Swing-Vote Manchin Received Major Advertising Attention Throughout 2021\">digital ad buy<\/a> that thanks Cavanaugh for \u201csponsoring Trump\u2019s MAGA agenda.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cavanaugh has attacked Powell over the outside spending, accusing her campaign of being boosted by dark money groups and millionaires. One attack is over a canceled ad reservation from a pro-Israel group, Democratic Majority for Israel, supporting Powell. Powell has rejected the notion that she took AIPAC money, claiming she has \u201cnever taken a dime.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nebraska\u2019s 2nd Congressional District is slated to lean Democrat, according to the Cook Political Report. Harris won the seat over Trump in 2024 by 4 percentage points.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4538440\/by-the-numbers-how-many-seats-has-each-party-gained\/\">BY THE NUMBERS: HOW MANY SEATS HAS EACH PARTY GAINED IN REDISTRICTING?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face Republican Brinker Harding, an Omaha city councilman.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> has reached out to Cavanaugh and Powell for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats are optimistic about flipping Don Bacon\u2019s seat, but voters must choose Tuesday between John Cavanaugh and Denise Powell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2601515,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-88av8die7-1778539646686-e1778553660587.jpg?1778525352&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[79505,32923,79506,79326],"class_list":["post-2601514","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-blue-dot-strategy","tag-democratic-party","tag-gubernatorial-nominee","tag-nebraska-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-collage-88av8die7-1778539646686-e1778553660587.jpg?1778525352&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601514","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2601514"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601514\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2601518,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601514\/revisions\/2601518"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2601515"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2601514"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2601514"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2601514"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}