Omaha, Nebraska – The open seat in the state’s 2nd Congressional District has become the focus of a closely watched midterm contest. Republican Brinker Harding, a longtime Omaha City Councilmember, is running to succeed retiring Rep. Don Bacon, while Democrat Denise Powell, a local activist and co‑founder of Women Who Run Nebraska, is the party’s nominee.
Local dynamics and voter outlook
The district covers Omaha’s metro area of more than one million residents and its surrounding suburbs. Although the district voted for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, it has historically elected Republicans to the House, with only one Democratic win since 1994.
Harding is emphasizing his endorsement from former President Donald Trump, noting that he has “the full confidence of, not only the White House, but leadership in the Congress.” House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise have also campaigned for him.
Powell is focusing on issues that resonate with working families, such as Medicare cuts and concerns about the former president’s business dealings. She told voters, “Even the ones who aren’t necessarily anti‑Trump understand the need for checks and balances.”
Campaign activity on the ground
Both candidates have been active at local parades and festivals, where oversized sausage raffles are a popular draw. Powell has been knocking on doors, asking residents, “What’s keeping you up at night?” One carpenter, John Rosseter, replied, “Well, Trump.”
Local residents are divided. Jack Hosking, a 90‑year‑old retired title‑insurance executive who hosts a weekly coffee discussion, estimates that about 70 % of attendees are Trump supporters, but he believes “maybe even more so lately” because of recent national political shifts. He also noted that “she spoke well enough that, my sense is, a lot of them will cross over.”
National influence
President Trump is planning a Republican midterm convention in Dallas next month, which will serve as a rally for him and a showcase for candidates like Harding. The Republican National Committee has rebranded its “Young Guns” program to “MAGA Majority” to align with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement.
Harding’s campaign has countered with “Brinker Dot” signs, while a local couple, Jason and Ruth Brown, have been distributing blue‑dot signs to highlight the district’s unique voting pattern.
Local perspectives on the race
Andy Maxwell, a pediatrician in the Elmwood Park neighborhood, said he prefers “the middle ground” in politics but noted that after he displayed a Biden sign in 2020, neighbors put up a Trump sign in response.
Jerard Pearson, an 80‑year‑old resident, called Democrats “feckless” but admitted curiosity about the intensity of Trump’s base.
Mary Jane Truemper, head of the Nebraska Republican Party, described Harding as “a steady force” who can appeal to moderate Democrats as well as Republicans, and said the party prefers personal, “person‑to‑person” outreach over national messaging.
What’s at stake
The outcome will shape Nebraska’s representation in a Congress where the Republican majority is seeking to maintain control while navigating a post‑presidential era. Voters in the district will decide whether the seat stays Republican or flips to a Democrat who may align more closely with the state’s recent support for a Democratic presidential candidate.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
