In Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district, which encompasses Omaha and surrounding suburbs, the race to replace retiring Rep. Don Bacon has become a contest over how to ease the affordability crisis facing families and farmers.
Candidates and their priorities
Republican Brinker Harding, a commercial‑real‑estate professional, and Democrat Denise Powell, a small‑business owner, have both made lowering living costs the centerpiece of their campaigns.
Harding proposes a year‑round E15 gasoline blend, which contains ethanol, as a way to curb rising fuel prices that he attributes to the U.S. military conflict in Iran. He also backs measures to lower prescription‑drug costs, urging “Most Favored Nation” pricing so Nebraskans pay the same rates as other countries.
Powell, meanwhile, focuses on ending what she calls the Trump administration’s tariff policies, investing in early‑education programs such as Head Start, and capping health‑care expenses. She argues that expanding clean‑energy reliance and ending the Iran conflict would reduce diesel costs that hurt farmers and rural communities.
Policy differences
Harding has criticized the Trump‑era beef tariffs for raising grocery prices, but he counters that increasing domestic cattle production can offset those costs. He says, “The real solution involves growing the U.S. cattle herd to meet demand.”
Powell plans to codify a constitutional right to abortion and supports the Right to IVF Act, which would broaden insurance coverage for fertility treatments. She highlights her decade‑long work defending reproductive rights in Nebraska, including gathering signatures for a ballot measure protecting access to care.
Immigration and government accountability
Harding also advocates for requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to wear body cameras during operations, citing recent scrutiny of immigration enforcement. He notes his record on the Omaha City Council, where he voted for more officers, higher pay, and expanded body‑camera use.
Both candidates agree on banning congressional stock trading and ending back‑pay for members of Congress during government shutdowns, arguing that elected officials should face the same consequences as federal workers when a budget fails.
Fundraising and election logistics
Powell currently leads in fundraising, with more than $2.6 million in contributions and $997,000 cash on hand. Harding has raised just over $2 million and holds over $1 million in cash.
Powell’s donors include the American Postal Workers Union PAC, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners. Harding’s contributions come from the SEAL PAC, Protective Life Corporation, and Rep. Rudy Yakyam.
Nebraska’s early‑in‑person voting runs Oct. 5–Nov. 2, with military and overseas ballots mailed out by Sept. 18. Polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central, with Mountain‑time precincts adjusting to 7 a.m.–7 p.m. to stay in sync.
What’s at stake
The 2nd district was narrowly won by Rep. Bacon in 2024 with 50.9 % of the vote, and the district’s voters favored Kamala Harris for president. Both parties see the seat as a potential flip in the 2026 midterms, making the affordability debate a key factor for Nebraskans deciding who will represent them in Washington.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
