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By Daniela Altimari and Mary Ellen McIntire

The Democratic primary in Nebraska’s open 2nd District has drawn an influx of outside spending and concerns about how the outcome could affect the 2028 presidential contest.

The expensive and divisive battle pits labor-backed progressive state Sen. John Cavanaugh against political action committee co-founder Denise Powell. Several other Democrats are also on the ballot, including Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades and Navy veteran Kishla Askins. Although both have secured some high-powered endorsements, they trail in fundraising and face a more arduous path to the nomination.

The winner will take on Republican Brinker Harding, an Omaha City council member who does not face a primary opponent. Both parties say the November contest will be crucial to determining control of the House.

The district, centered on Omaha, is a rare battleground district closely split among Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters: Kamala Harris won it by 5 points in 2024, yet voters here have repeatedly sent Republican Don Bacon to the House. (Bacon won a fifth term by less than 2 points in 2024 before announcing his retirement last year.)

Powell and her allies say a victory by Cavanaugh would jeopardize Nebraska’s “blue dot.” The state awards presidential electoral votes by congressional district – a system state Republicans are trying to change. Should Cavanaugh win, GOP Gov. Jim Pillen would appoint his replacement in the state legislature, potentially handing Nebraska Republicans a key vote in their push to shift to a more typical “winner take all” method of apportioning presidential electoral votes.

Cavanaugh has dismissed such concerns, saying Democrats in Nebraska will pick up more than enough legislative seats in November to offset the potential loss of his vote. 

American support for Israel has also become an issue in the race, and Republicans have been meddling in the race by funding ads that praise Cavanaugh.

The 2nd District race isn’t the only interesting Democratic primary playing out Tuesday on the Plains. 

On the Senate side, retired pharmacy technician Cindy Burbank and anti-abortion pastor William Forbes are competing for the Democratic nomination. Democrats say Forbes is a plant to help the incumbent, Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts, prevail in his run against independent Dan Osborn. 

Burbank told The New York Times she would continue her candidacy “until it is obvious that I cannot win in November, and I will drop out.”

Ricketts, meanwhile, is favored in his primary over four GOP challengers.

Primaries will also be held Tuesday in West Virginia. Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito faces several opponents, including state Sen. Tom Willis, but is expected to prevail.

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