Denise Powell launches bid in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District
Denise Powell, known for her work helping new candidates run for office, is running for Congress in Nebraska's Omaha-based 2nd District. (Courtesy of Denise Powell for Congress)
LINCOLN — Denise Powell, known for her role boosting new candidates with Women Who Run, is running for Congress in 2026 in Nebraska's 2nd District.
Powell told the Nebraska Examiner on Wednesday that she is running because many people in the Omaha area have lost a 'voice in D.C.,' and the district needs more 'everyday working' people.
She said she would prioritize protecting Medicaid and Social Security, vote to ensure the federal government does its part to boost quality K-12 education and push back against the Trump administration.
'I am not a politician,' said Powell, who is stepping away from her role with the nonprofit she helped found. 'And quite frankly, I think at this moment that's actually a good thing.'
Her announcement comes on the heels of Bacon confirming last week that he is considering retiring and State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha publicly acknowledging he is exploring a bid. The prospects of a potentially crowded midterm primary field could excite local Democrats. State party officials have said they talked with 'strong candidates' for months.
Nebraska Democrats, who view Bacon's seat as vulnerable with him in it or not, have a first major candidate. Powell is trying to do what former State Sen. Tony Vargas fell short of twice — becoming the first non-Republican to represent Nebraska in Congress since the late former U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford in 2017.
Powell said she's hopeful this will be a political moment when voters are done with partisan lines, as people are 'really frustrated by our elected officials who were supposed to represent us.'
'That's the message that I'm bringing to this campaign,' Powell said. 'This is a campaign to support all Nebraskans.'
Though Powell hasn't held an elected office, she has played a role in Nebraska politics. She has helped with organizing recent ballot initiatives seeking to codify the right to an abortion, which failed, and to repeal a publicly funded voucher program for private K-12 schools, which succeeded.
She said her experience running the Women Run Nebraska, a political action committee that aims to get more women in elected office, has shown her just how much people from all parties 'care deeply about their communities.'
'I think our community needs that voice,' Powell said. 'The working mom's voice who's gonna just step in there and fight for them.'
Once again, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Bacon's seat as a Republican toss-up. The slightly GOP-leaning district is Nebraska's most politically divided and diverse.
The 2nd District voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 and former President Joe Biden in 2020 after voting for President Donald Trump in 2016 and Mitt Romney in 2012. It backed then-U.S. Sen. Barack Obama in 2008.
Bacon has fended off Democratic challengers in close races in previous years and has bucked the 'blue dot' voting trend in the past two presidential elections. The retired Air Force brigadier general is a reliable House Republican vote on most matters. But he has again stepped into the national spotlight as one of the few House Republicans willing to criticize the Trump administration.
Powell said people are uncertain, frustrated, and worried about what's happening in Washington, amid economic uncertainty, including high inflation and efforts to cut social programs like Medicaid.
'Unfortunately, Don Bacon is somebody who is really good at saying all the right things,' Powell said. 'But at the end of the day, he is taking votes in DC that are hurting Nebraskans.'
Bacon told the Examiner late last month that he was considering retirement, but has raised funds to leave him the choice of running again. Bacon's campaign manager said his recent fundraising 'keeps all options open ahead of 2026.'
Regardless of whether Bacon retires from Congress, the outlines of a potential midterm race are becoming clearer after independent Dan Osborn focused his efforts on the U.S. Senate, and potential Republican suitors line up to jump in if Bacon gets out.
Former 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate Brett Lindstrom has told people in political circles that he is interested in a potential bid if Bacon retires. Another name being discussed is Dan Frei, who ran against Bacon in the 2024 GOP primary.
The 2nd District has already drawn attention from state and national Democrats this year, with Democrats leading in-person town halls and advertising buys from multiple Democratic-aligned groups.
In addition to Cavanaugh, perennial candidate Evangelos Argyrakis has said he is running. Argyrakis withdrew from the 2018 attorney general's race after facing a charge of abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, has said he's running.
Cavanaugh said this week that he plans to decide whether to run after the legislative session or sooner, regardless of who else is running or when they enter the race. He pointed to his 'record of effective leadership and experience crafting legislation to make people's lives better and defeating bad public policy.'
'I know if I run, I have the record to earn the vote of the people of the 2nd District of Nebraska,' Cavanaugh told the Examiner.
Powell said she is not worried about a potential primary because she believes her message will resonate with voters.
'What's happening in Washington, DC, is impacting their family budgets,' Powell said, 'People are really scared, and they feel like nobody is speaking for them or fighting for them.'
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