{"id":2602457,"date":"2026-05-13T21:36:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T01:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/denise-powell-wins-nebraska-dem-primary-to-fill-bacons-house-seat\/"},"modified":"2026-05-13T21:38:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T01:38:56","slug":"denise-powell-wins-nebraska-dem-primary-to-fill-bacons-house-seat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/denise-powell-wins-nebraska-dem-primary-to-fill-bacons-house-seat\/","title":{"rendered":"Denise Powell wins Nebraska Dem primary to fill Bacon&#8217;s House seat"},"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\">22<\/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%2Fdenise-powell-wins-nebraska-dem-primary-to-fill-bacons-house-seat%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=2602457&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>denise Powell has won Nebraska\u2019s high-profile Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), defeating state Sen. John Cavanaugh with about 40% of the vote to Cavanaugh\u2019s roughly 38% as around 90% of ballots were counted. Powell will now face Omaha City Council member brinker Harding, who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination, and Libertarian Eric Michael Foreman in the general election.<\/p>\n<p>Powell, an Omaha-based political organizer who founded the women-focused PAC Nebraska\u2019s Women Who Run after Donald trump\u2019s 2016 election, is campaigning on issues including protecting the Democratic process, reducing costs, and defending abortion. The <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >primary drew national attention due<\/a> to an intense six-candidate battle and notable outside spending.Powell argued that electing Cavanaugh-backed in part by a progressive group-could jeopardize Democrats\u2019 position in the nebraska Legislature, potentially enabling Republican Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) to shift state Senate seats and weaken bargaining power on issues like electoral rules and redistricting.<\/p>\n<p>with Powell winning the nomination, Cavanaugh will remain in the state Senate, where his term runs until January 2029.The Cook Political Report rates the 2nd District as lean-Democratic, noting democrats have a strong chance to flip a seat Bacon has held since 2017.  <\/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>Political organizer Denise Powell defeated state Sen. John Cavanaugh on Tuesday night in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Nebraska\/\">Nebraska<\/a>\u2018s high-profile<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-primary\/\"> Democratic primary<\/a> in the race to replace retiring Rep.<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/don-bacon\/\"> Don Bacon<\/a> (R-NE).<\/p>\n<p>With roughly 90% of votes counted, Powell narrowly bested Cavanaugh with about 40% of the vote to Cavanaugh\u2019s roughly 38%, according to the <em>Associated Press.<\/em><\/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\/congressional\/4565332\/nebraska-house-democratic-primary-results\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Denise Powell wins Nebraska Democratic primary in race to fill Bacon\u2019s House seat<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4567440\/south-carolina-redistricting-special-session-house-map\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>South Carolina\u2019s McMaster to call special session to redraw House map<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4566906\/gallrein-lead-massie-latest-kentucky-primary-poll\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Gallrein takes the lead over Massie in latest Kentucky primary polling<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Powell is now set to take on candidate Brinker Harding, an Omaha City Council member who ran unopposed for the GOP nomination. Libertarian nominee Eric Michael Foreman will also appear on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/company-leading-arizona-recount-asks-court-that-procedures-be-kept-secret\/\" title=\"Company Leading Arizona Recount Asks Court That Procedures Be Kept Secret\">general election ballot<\/a>. In the wake of President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s 2016 election win, Powell founded Nebraska\u2019s Women Who Run, an Omaha-based PAC that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/denise-powell-wins-nebraska-democratic-primary-in-race-to-fill-bacons-house-seat\/\" title=\"... wins Nebraska Democratic primary in race to fill Bacon&#039;s House seat\">helps promote women running<\/a> for office in the Cornhusker State. She is running her campaign based on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/deniseforcongress.org\/priorities\/\">priorities<\/a> like safeguarding the Democratic process, lowering costs for Nebraskans, and defending abortion.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The Democratic primary drew national attention not only because of Democrats\u2019 desire to flip Nebraska\u2019s 2nd Congressional District blue but because of the heated primary between the six candidates that ran for the seat. Powell and Cavanaugh appeared as front-runners in the primary, as their candidacies drew <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4563824\/nebraska-democrats-pick-nominee-fight-blue-dot\/\">big-name endorsements<\/a> and over <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\/\">$5 million in outside spending<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Powell, endorsed by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus\u2019s campaign arm, slammed Cavanaugh\u2019s campaign as <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4563824\/nebraska-democrats-pick-nominee-fight-blue-dot\/\">a risk to Nebraska\u2019s so-called \u201cblue dot,\u201d<\/a> which allowed the Omaha area to cast Nebraska\u2019s only vote for former Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kamala-harris\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"748\">Kamala Harris<\/a> in the 2024 election. <\/p>\n<p>Powell argued that if Cavanaugh, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-jersey-democrats-break-with-party-to-endorse-ciattarelli\/\" title=\"New Jersey Democrats break with party to endorse Ciattarelli\">state senator backed<\/a> by the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, was elected to the seat, his state senate seat could be at risk of being filled by a Republican state senator by Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/jim-pillen\/\" type=\"mediapress_author\" id=\"12394\">Jim Pillen <\/a>(R-NE). If Pillen made this move, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4563824\/nebraska-democrats-pick-nominee-fight-blue-dot\/\">Powell argued that state Senate Democrats<\/a> would further weaken their bargaining ability with the Republican supermajority and expose Nebraska Democrats to things like an overhaul of their electoral college system and a possible GOP redistricting campaign.<\/p>\n<p>With Powell now the Democratic nominee, Cavanaugh will retain his seat in the state Senate, with his term not set to expire until January 2029.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4563824\/nebraska-democrats-pick-nominee-fight-blue-dot\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4563824\">NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS TO PICK NOMINEE IN FIGHT FOR \u2018BLUE DOT\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <em>Cook Political Report<\/em> rates Nebraska\u2019s 2nd District as a lean-Democratic seat, with its race summary noting that \u201cDemocrats have a prime opportunity to flip this seat,\u201d which Bacon has held for the GOP since 2017. The district went for Harris in 2024 and former President Joe Biden in 2020 but voted for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Trump<\/a> in 2016.<\/p>\n<p>In his last general election in 2024, Bacon narrowly defeated his Democratic opponent, Tony Vargas, by a 1.8 percentage point margin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Political organizer Denise Powell narrowly won Nebraska\u2019s Democratic primary to replace Don Bacon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3976,"featured_media":2602458,"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\/AP26133188333373.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32923,79641,79326,37103,39866],"class_list":["post-2602457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-democratic-party","tag-denise-powell","tag-nebraska-politics","tag-special-election","tag-us-house"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26133188333373.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602457","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\/3976"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2602457"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602457\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2602461,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602457\/revisions\/2602461"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2602458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2602457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2602457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2602457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}