Mark Johnston withdraws from Democratic field in Nebraska's 2nd District (the Blue Dot)

Omaha-area doctor Mark Johnston said he’s stepping back from his run for Congress. (Courtesy of Mark Johnston)

Now, there are four known Democrats fighting to be the nominee in open-seat race
By: Juan Salinas II - July 30, 2025 9:08 pm

OMAHA — The Democratic primary race in Nebraska 2nd Congressional District got less crowded Wednesday.

Mark Johnston, 69, told the Nebraska Examiner this week that he has withdrawn from the race for the Democratic nomination to represent the Omaha area in Congress.

Johnston said he lacks the infrastructure to raise funds and feels Democrats have an “extremely good chance” of winning the open seat with the number of candidates running.

“Given the fact that this race has heated up very quickly … it’s going to be a very crowded field and a very high money field.”

FULL story: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/07/30/mark-johnston-withdraws-from-democratic-field-in-nebraskas-2nd-district/

Both Cook Political Report and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, two of the leading election forecast publications, have upgraded their ratings for Nebraska’s 2nd District from toss-up to leans Democratic. Making it a likely candidate for big spending as the GOP attempts to maintain or bolster its small majority, and Democrats try to take back control.

https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings

https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2024-house/

There will be at least 5 Democrats that will be running in the primary next May. The DU is neutral in all races between Democrats. That said, here are the four DU ActBlue links we have so far for the NE-2 primary Blue Dot race.

Democratic Underground for Denise Powell (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4denisepowell

Democratic Underground for John Cavanaugh (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4johncavanaugh

Democratic Underground for Crystal Rhoades (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4crystalrhoades

Democratic Underground for Kishla Askins (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4kishlaaskins

A fifth candidate (Evangelos Argyrakis) has no ActBlue page for a donation link: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220506044