Nebraska takes its activate the primary calendar Tuesday as voters settle a divisive Democratic congressional primary in a race that’s poised to grow to be one of the nation’s best contests this fall that would assist decide management of Congress.
It’s been a decade since Nebraska despatched a Democrat to Congress, however Rep. Don Bacon’s choice to retire turned his Omaha-area district right into a key November battleground. Bacon was one of solely three Republicans in the nation who received in a district that Kamala Harris additionally carried in 2024.
Yet speak of choosing up a Republican seat in November has largely taken a again seat to a spirited Democratic primary over which candidate would defend – or imperil – the so-called blue dot, a characteristic of the state’s distinctive technique of awarding electoral votes in presidential elections.
Two of the main Democratic candidates in the race – John Cavanaugh and Denise Powell – have gained the most nationwide consideration as a multimillion-dollar promoting battle over the destiny of the blue dot, abortion rights and a handful of different points have dominated the dialog.
But voters are additionally weighing the candidacies of 4 different rivals, together with Crystal Rhoades, clerk of the Douglas County District Court endorsed by Omaha Mayor John Ewing, and Kishla Atkins, a Navy veteran and former deputy assistant secretary of Veterans Affairs.
The crowded primary exists solely on the Democratic facet on Tuesday.
Republicans cleared the subject of their race, with Omaha metropolis councilman Brinker Harding working unopposed for the Republican nomination. President Donald Trump endorsed Harding, organising a contest that can measure the president’s recognition in the 2nd Congressional District, the place Trump has misplaced two straight elections – and the blue dot’s Electoral College vote.
The Democratic quarreling over a singular state concern in Nebraska stands aside from the ideological fights in different aggressive primary races throughout the nation. The combat has attracted a deluge of outdoors spending from curiosity teams, with greater than $6 million in promoting alone, based on AdImpact.
Powell argues that electing Cavanaugh, a state senator, to Congress would threaten the blue dot that the state’s 2nd Congressional District has colloquially grow to be referred to as as a result of he might not combat in opposition to Republican efforts to vary state election regulation and make Nebraska a winner-take-all system like 48 different states.
Two outdoors progressive tremendous PACs have invested greater than $1 million on the Omaha airwaves in search of to amplify Powell’s argument: If Cavanaugh is elected to Congress and offers up his place in the state legislature, Republican Gov. Jim Pillen would fill the seat with somebody who would vote to remove the so-called blue dot.
In response, Cavanaugh has aired advertisements of his personal, calling his opponent “Dark Money Denise.”
His marketing campaign and allies have planted yard indicators throughout the district vowing to “stand up to Trump and defend the blue dot.” Six fellow state senators signed an open letter to voters final month, saying the assaults have been misguided and Democrats have been more likely to win different legislative races to supply a counterweight to his seat.
Nebraska and Maine are the solely two states in the nation that divide Electoral College votes by congressional district, somewhat than a statewide winner-take-all system. Under the system, the statewide winner receives two electoral votes, and the relaxation are break up, one apiece, amongst the main vote-getters in every district.
Trump received all 5 Nebraska electoral votes in 2016, however received solely 4 in his races in 2020 and 2024. Fearful of the prospect of a 269-269 tie in the Electoral College, Trump and his allies mounted a last-ditch effort to vary the Nebraska regulation. It was not profitable, however it proved to be a moot level as Trump defeated Harris 312-226.
Powell, who beforehand operated a political motion committee known as Women Run Nebraska, is in search of elected workplace for the first time. In advertisements, she describes herself as “one pissed-off mom.”
Cavanaugh hails from a outstanding Democratic household in Omaha. His father represented the 2nd District in Congress from 1977-1981. His sister, Machaela, serves in the state legislature.
The late Rep. Brad Ashford is the final Democrat to serve in the Nebraska seat, which he held for a single time period. He misplaced reelection to Bacon in 2016.