South Omaha’s growing Latino community proved pivotal in the recent midterm election, helping Democrats secure two major victories in Douglas County. Unofficial results from the Douglas County Election Commission show that the community’s turnout contributed to the election of Democrat Denise Powell to the U.S. House for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District and the selection of Mark Martinez as Douglas County sheriff.
Immigration concerns energize voters
Throughout the campaign, immigration enforcement emerged as a central issue for many South Omaha residents. On a hot August afternoon, Glenda Santamaria, a food‑truck worker, described how fear of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was affecting daily life. “People are afraid,” she said, noting that some customers avoided being out in the open. When asked how the situation made her feel, she replied simply, “Well, bad.”
Community organizer Kimberly Morales, who volunteered with the Heartland Workers Center, observed that voters wanted clear answers on where candidates stood regarding ICE and broader immigration policy. Morales emphasized her role in ensuring neighbors understood ballot measures in a nonpartisan manner.
Denise Powell’s historic win
Denise Powell’s victory marks a historic milestone: she becomes the first Latina woman to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District in Congress. In her victory speech, Powell thanked South Omaha’s young voters, urging them to keep using their voices. “Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you everyone,” she said. “You will definitely see that your voice is important. Continue to come and use your voice to communicate and tell us what you need.”
Addressing ongoing immigration concerns, Powell pledged to pursue reforms that hold ICE and federal law‑enforcement agents to the same standards applied to local police. “There are so many people who are still too scared to leave their house to go and buy groceries. They’re scared to get picked off,” she said. “We need to bring some serious reforms to the table.”
Mark Martinez elected sheriff
In the sheriff’s race, voters chose Mark Martinez, who ran on a platform of limited cooperation with ICE. Martinez told reporters, “I’m not going to work with ICE. They’re an agency that’s lacking in training and substandard hiring, and we’ve seen some tragic results.” He added that cooperation could be considered only in extreme cases involving violent individuals who pose a direct threat to public safety.
Martinez’s stance aligns with the community’s desire for local law‑enforcement autonomy and reduced federal immigration involvement.
Local business community response
The Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce congratulated Powell on her election and announced plans to collaborate on issues affecting Latino‑ and Hispanic‑owned businesses. The chamber highlighted the importance of representation for economic development and community advocacy.
Looking ahead
With these election outcomes, South Omaha’s Latino voters have shifted the political landscape in the area. The focus now turns to how Powell and Martinez will translate campaign promises into action. Both officials have signaled a commitment to addressing immigration‑related fears while fostering economic opportunity for the district’s diverse residents.
Local volunteers and community groups continue to monitor the implementation of proposed reforms, emphasizing the need for transparent communication between elected officials and constituents.
Original reporting: KMTV 3 News Now (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
