AP: Nebraska Democrats clash in US House primary for the state's 'blue dot' district

https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-election-house-cavanaugh-powell-bacon-5d7502c2eb7c807b2a7b72e48eae2905

By MARGERY A. BECK and STEVE PEOPLES
Updated 11:25 AM CDT, May 12, 2026

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The fate of Nebraska’s “blue dot” — a small, but significant factor in presidential politics — will take center stage Tuesday as Democratic voters select a congressional nominee in the state’s high-profile 2nd District.

The Omaha-area district, where Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon is retiring, is one of the Democratic Party’s biggest targets this midterm season. It’s also a national focus every four years in presidential contests because Nebraska is one of just two states that splits its electoral votes. The 2nd District has gone to Democratic presidential candidates three out of five times since 2008 — a “blue dot” in an otherwise sea of red.

Three Democrats are seen as the top contenders in Tuesday’s primary: state Sen. John Cavanaugh, political activist Denise Powell and district court clerk Crystal Rhoades. Republican Brinker Harding, an Omaha City Council member endorsed by President Donald Trump, is running unopposed on the GOP side.

Cavanaugh, more than anyone else on Tuesday’s ballot, has been under attack from both parties.

FULL story at link above.

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/2026-house/

The Cook Political Report wrote: “If Democrats don’t win Nebraska’s 2nd District next year, it’s almost impossible to see them taking control of the House.”


There are 5 Democrats that are running in the primary May 12th. The DU is neutral in all races between Democrats. That said, here are the five DU ActBlue links we have for the NE-2 primary Blue Dot race.

Democratic Underground for Melanie Williams (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/duforwilliams/

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

Democratic Underground for James Leuschen NE-2 has dropped out of the race.

Another candidate, Evangelos Argyrakis has no ActBlue page for a donation link and has dropped out of the race.