Denise Powell
Candidate for Nebraska 2nd Congressional District · Democrat
On the 2026 ballotCandidate · Nebraska 2nd Congressional District · Nov 3 General
Ballot status source: Nebraska Secretary of State — Final Statewide General Candidate List, November 3 2026: Representative in Congress District 02 — Democratic, Denise Powell · read Sep 24, 2026
Sources (3)
- Nebraska Secretary of State — Final Statewide General Candidate List, November 3 2026: Representative in Congress District 02 — Democratic, Denise Powell
- Nebraska Board of State Canvassers — Official Results of Nebraska Primary Election May 12, 2026, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional District 2: Democratic: Argyrakis 152, Cavanaugh 21,115, Rhoades 8,180, Askins 3,499, Powell 22,516 (nominee), Leuschen 320, Williams 2,222
- total 58,004
The District
What Nebraska 2nd Congressional District covers
Covers all of Saunders County; parts of Douglas County and Sarpy County.
Includes Omaha (part), Gretna (part), Valley, Wahoo, Ashland, Bennington, Boys Town, King Lake, Linoma Beach, Melia, Ralston, Richfield and 19 more.
275 precincts · District lines: Congressional lines: U.S. Census Bureau (1:500,000 cartographic boundary, 119th Congress) · Precinct lines: Douglas County GIS (DCGIS), Precincts 2024 layer (dcgis.org Hosted/Precincts_2024); Sarpy County Election Commission, Voting Precincts (/FeatureServer/2, all 81 precincts last updated 2021-10-22) — official county layers; Census 2020 VTDs elsewhere in Nebraska; U.S. Census Bureau 2020 TIGER/Line VTDs where no official layer; U.S. Census Bureau 2020 VTDs for the 2020 general (Douglas); Douglas County 2022 precincts (dcgis.org) for the 2022 general; Census 2020 VTDs for 2020
Results
Certified results for Nebraska 2nd Congressional District
U.S. Representative District 2
Nebraska General Election 2024-11-05 · Nov 5, 2024| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don BaconRepublican | Republican | 160,198 | 50.9% |
| Tony VargasDemocrat | Democrat | 154,369 | 49.1% |
Official/certified county canvass results by precinct for the NE-02 counties · Douglas County Election Commission official results; Sarpy County Election…
Sources (2)
- Official/certified county canvass results by precinct for the NE-02 counties (Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders)
- statewide county totals from the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers Official Report. Other counties: no precinct detail loaded
U.S. Representative District 2
Nebraska General Election 2022-11-08 · Nov 8, 2022| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don BaconRepublican | Republican | 112,663 | 51.3% |
| Tony VargasDemocrat | Democrat | 106,807 | 48.7% |
Official/certified county canvass results by precinct for the NE-02 counties · Douglas County Election Commission official results; Sarpy County Election…
Sources (2)
- Official/certified county canvass results by precinct for the NE-02 counties (Douglas, Sarpy)
- statewide county totals from the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers Official Report. Other counties: no precinct detail loaded
U.S. Representative District 2
Nebraska General Election 2020-11-03 · Nov 3, 2020| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donald BaconRepublican | Republican | 171,071 | 50.7% |
| Kara EastmanDemocrat | Democrat | 155,706 | 46.2% |
| Tyler SchaefferLibertarian | Libertarian | 10,185 | 3.0% |
| Write-in | 397 | 0.1% |
Official/certified county canvass results by precinct for the NE-02 counties · Douglas County Election Commission official results; Sarpy County Election…
Sources (2)
- Official/certified county canvass results by precinct for the NE-02 counties (Douglas, Sarpy)
- statewide county totals from the Nebraska Board of State Canvassers Official Report. Other counties: no precinct detail loaded
Key Votes
The record
No public voting record
Denise Powell has not held elected public office (she has said: 'I am not a politician, I've never run for office before'). She is a former corporate executive, small-business owner and founder of the Women Who Run PAC; none of these roles carries a roll-call record. Checked 2026-09-24 against campaign biography, press coverage of the 2026 race and her own interview statements.
Official · GOTV Intel finding (absence of record)
Newest first. A close vote was decided by 5% of the votes cast or less (or 10 votes or fewer, under a fifth of the votes). Broke with party: voted against most of their party, where the record gives the party split.
Their Money
Campaign finance
- Last Change
- Profile updated · Sep 24
- Raised
- $2,668,287cycle to date through Jun 30
- Cash on Hand
- $997,390cycle to date through Jun 30
- Spent
- $1,670,897cycle to date through Jun 30
- Debts Owed
- $75,000cycle to date through Jun 30
- Next Report Due
- Q3 Report · Oct 15
View on FEC.govFEC, cycle to date through Jun 30, 2026
Top Payees
Who the campaign paid most, as its filing reports it.
- BUYING TIME · tv advertising$485.8K
- SB DIGITAL, INC. · digital consulting$221.2K
- MVAR MEDIA LLC · media production$128.0K
- ONE HOUSE STRATEGIES · general strategy consulting$110.6K
- SPIROS CONSULTING · research services$69.8K
Campaign finance — Denise Powell for Congress: July Quarterly 2026, through Jun 30, 2026
Jun 30, 2026 · Official · Federal Election CommissionFinance Reports
Financial disclosure — Candidate report 2026
Candidate report (2026), covering 01/01/2025–07/14/2026; filed 08/13/2026. Reports 70 assets; highest reported ranges: Custodial/education account (spouse) $500,001–$1,000,000; Microsoft Corporation - Common Stock (MSFT) (spouse) $250,001–$500,000; 48 Dodge QOF LLC (joint) $250,001–$500,000; Berkshire Hathaway Inc. New Common Stock (BRK.B) (spouse) $100,001–$250,000; 66 others at or below $100,001–$250,000. Liabilities: none disclosed. Earned income: Salary, She's Electable Nebraska LLC $90,555.10; Spouse Salary, LinkedIn Corporation. Also: 2 positions listed (e.g. Partner, She's Electable, LLC); 5 source(s) paying over $5,000.
Aug 13, 2026 · Official · Clerk of the U.S. House of RepresentativesCampaign finance — Denise Powell for Congress: July Quarterly 2026, through Jun 30, 2026
Raised $2,668,287.00 this cycle · spent $1,670,896.58 · cash on hand $997,390.42 · debts owed by the committee $75,000.00 — through Jun 30, 2026. Where the money came from (cycle to date, as reported): Individuals $2,287,847.99 (86%); PACs and other political committees $309,300.00 (12%); Party committees $1,105.78 (0%); Transfers from authorized committees $5,000.00 (0%); The candidate (contributions) $15,033.21 (1%); Loans made or guaranteed by the candidate $50,000.00 (2%). Where it went (itemized operating expenditures this cycle, FEC-processed through Sep 20, 2026): media/ad buying $613.9K; digital $258.0K; general consulting $115.6K; polling $113.8K; other $81.8K; fundraising $60.0K.
Jun 30, 2026 · Official · Federal Election CommissionFinancial disclosure — Candidate report 2025
Candidate report (2025), covering 01/01/2024–07/14/2025; filed 08/13/2025. Reports 52 assets; highest reported ranges: Microsoft Corporation Stock (MSFT) (spouse) $1,000,001–$5,000,000; Microsoft Corporation - Common Stock (MSFT) (spouse) $500,001–$1,000,000; 48 Dodge QOF LLC (joint) $250,001–$500,000; Vanguard Growth Index Fd Admiral Shs (VIGAX) (spouse) $250,001–$500,000; 48 others at or below $250,001–$500,000. Liabilities: none disclosed. Earned income: Salary, She's Electable Nebraska LLC $24,000.00; Spouse Salary, LinkedIn Corporation. Also: 10 positions listed (e.g. Partner, She's Electable, LLC); 16 source(s) paying over $5,000.
Aug 13, 2025 · Official · Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
Money shows as the filings named here report it. Payees are who the campaign paid; individual contributors are not shown.
Advertising
Who is advertising for and against Denise
Advertising summary — for and against (2026 cycle)
For: own campaign $148,600 on Google; outside Google ads $0–$0; Snap $0; broadcast TV not searched; FEC independent expenditures $21,095. Against: outside Google ads $0–$0; opponent campaign ads $0–$0; Snap $0; broadcast TV not searched; FEC independent expenditures $39,074. 2026 cycle. Broadcast TV: not yet searched. Meta not included.
Sep 23, 2026 · Official · Ads summary (2026 cycle)Google/YouTube ads — DENISE POWELL FOR CONGRESS (supporting)
The candidate's own campaign (DENISE POWELL FOR CONGRESS). 6 ads since Nov 2024; Google-reported $148,600 since Nov 6 2024 (exact, advertiser-wide).
Sep 23, 2026 · Official · Google Political Ads Transparency Report (bundle updated 2026-09-23 21:37 PT) · source
Independent Expenditures
FEC independent expenditures on file: $445,592 supporting, $126,792 opposing, across 36 reports.
ROLLING SEA ACTION FUNDSupporting · $150,000
1 report, newest Oct 6, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
NO GOING BACK PAC INC.Opposing · $122,249
5 reports, newest Sep 23, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
AB PACSupporting · $88,394
4 reports, newest Oct 5, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
Nebraska Appleseed Action FundSupporting · $66,680
4 reports, newest Oct 5, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
Healthcare for Action PACSupporting · $59,156
2 reports, newest Oct 7, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
Progressive Turnout ProjectSupporting · $54,472
3 reports, newest Oct 7, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
Community Change VotersSupporting · $26,066
8 reports, newest Oct 9, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
CIVIC RENEWAL FUND INC.Opposing · $4,543
2 reports, newest Sep 29, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
Neighbor VoicesSupporting · $675
3 reports, newest Oct 8, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
Field Team 6 Inc.Supporting · $149
4 reports, newest Aug 16, 2026 · Federal Election Commission — electronic filing · newest filing
Spend as each platform or filing reports it. Each line is a separate measure, and they are not added together.
In Their Words
What they have said, on the record
“High diesel prices hit farmers and agricultural communities hard because their generators, irrigation pumps, and machinery all run on it … Farmers are struggling. Families are struggling. We deserve better.”
“I'm talking to families who have teenagers who are working not to buy the latest Xbox or whatever. They're working to help their families right now. They're working to pay for groceries. They're working to help pay the rent”
“This war is not the direction we should be headed in, and so I'm really hopeful that if we're able to strike some more balance in the House, that we can actually find some common ground here and work on some things that benefit everybody”
“Wouldn't it be fantastic if we had similar programs at the federal level that could support those efforts and cut red tape and make it easier for these developers to build housing that people can actually afford and is also high quality?”
“People are worse off than they were before”
“It’s why I’m not taking corporate PAC money, and why I’ve made an anti-corruption agenda central to my campaign.”
Show all 14 statementsShow fewer
“We must ban congressional stock trading, pass a lifetime ban on members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, and enact term limits in Congress. And we need to overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision to get Super PAC money out of our politics for good.”
“I did not have the name recognition because for the last decade, the work that I’ve been doing has been behind the scenes intentionally.”
“So now it’s my job as the Democratic nominee to show people who I really am and make sure that people understand why I’m in this race”
“It was fiery because so many people see the opportunity and wanted to be part of the change”
“I think we need to put the brakes on this president. We are seeing him blow up our deficit, and this is something … Republicans care about a lot.”
“At the end of the day, people don’t care about politics and all of that crap … They just care about their survival, and there are families in this district who don’t know that they’re gonna make it to the end of the month.”
“So, I understand the issues, I know who the people are who are on the ground doing the work and getting it done. I have the relationships, I have the work ethic, I’ve got the drive and the love of this state to get things done.”
“We are not taking anything for granted. I know that I am going to have to work really hard, I am not entitled to this seat, nobody owes me their vote … My job for the next six months is to work really hard to earn that support.”
Interviews and Published Statements
One-on-one with Omaha Democrat Denise Powell
Newsroom video/podcast interview (Executive Editor Ben Doody) · Omaha World-Herald Excerpts from the publisher's transcript (candidate's turns only): “In my kids’ schools, they can take the phone to school, but they can’t have the phone while they’re learning in the classroom. They’ve got phone cubbies, caddies, where they put their phone away.” “I think media literacy is really, really important. I come from a long line of journalists.” “How do we save the world? Yeah, I mean, I think back to technology that was invented during the Industrial Revolution.”
Apr 8, 2026 · Press · Omaha World-Herald · sourceCan Democrats Flip Omaha's House Seat? Denise Powell Thinks So.
Podcast interview · The Dan Parsons Show Excerpts from GOTV Intel's transcription: [02:57] “I think the administration has been very unclear about its motives. Um, you know, at the end of the day, I don't know anybody who would disagree with the fact that Iran's regime is absolutely terrible.” [10:43] “So, I am not a politician. I've never run for office before.” [12:49] “I think it starts now. I mean, the the brilliant thing about this moment is that no matter who I talk to, the the concerns are very similar.” [15:56] “Well, I absolutely think we are going to flip this seat. Everybody who rates these races has rated this one a lean Democrat seat now.” [18:51] “Um, it is intense, it is exciting. Um, you know, I'm working my tail off.”
Press · The Dan Parsons Show · source
In the News
Press coverage
- Affordability top concern in Nebraska flip districtSep 20, 2026 · Press · The Center Square
- Harding, Powell pitch affordability fixes in Nebraska CD2 raceSep 7, 2026 · Press · Omaha World-Herald
- This rare Nebraska district backed Harris but sent a Republican to Congress. Can Democrats win here?Aug 22, 2026 · Press · PBS News
- Denise Powell: The back-to-school squeeze is hurting familiesAug 15, 2026 · Press · Omaha World-Herald (op-ed)
- Denise Powell, Pete Ricketts favored in election forecastJun 22, 2026 · Press · Omaha World-Herald
- How Did Denise Powell Beat An Omaha Dynasty In NE-02?May 25, 2026 · Press · Omaha Daily Record
- Denise Powell wins Democratic primary for Nebraska 2nd Congressional DistrictMay 14, 2026 · Press · OPB (Associated Press)
- Denise Powell wins Democratic primary in Nebraska’s ‘blue dot’ 2nd DistrictMay 14, 2026 · Press · Associated Press (via Internet Archive)
- Denise Powell wins Democratic primary for battleground Nebraska seatMay 14, 2026 · Press · Roll Call
- Powell kicks off general election with focus on costsMay 14, 2026 · Press · Nebraska Examiner
Show all 11 articlesShow fewer
- Denise Powell calls ‘dark money’ ad claims false, distraction in campaign to protect Nebraska's 'blue dot'May 6, 2026 · Press · WOWT 6 News
Headlines link to the original reporting, captured on the date shown.
Reach Them
Websites and accounts
- Campaign Websitedeniseforcongress.orgFull-page capture of the campaign website (see screenshot). Accounts linked from the site: https://x.com/DeniseForNE, https://www.facebook.com/deniseforcongress, https://www.instagram.com/deniseforcongress, https://bsky.app/profile/deniseforcongress.bsky.socialSep 24, 2026 · Self-published · Denise Powell for CongressSelf-published
- Xx.com/DeniseForNE1,232 followers · 78 following Captured 2026-09-24 12:56 UTC.Sep 24, 2026 · Self-published · XSelf-published
- Facebookfacebook.com/deniseforcongress3,396 followers · 1,803 talking about Captured 2026-09-24 12:56 UTC.Sep 24, 2026 · Self-published · FacebookSelf-published
- Instagraminstagram.com/deniseforcongressPublic metrics not available without sign-in (login wall). Captured 2026-09-24 12:56 UTC — page served a login wall; no screenshot kept.Sep 24, 2026 · Self-published · InstagramSelf-published
Bluesky account: bsky.app/profile/deniseforcongress.bsky.social
485 followers · 1 following · 107 posts Captured 2026-09-24 12:56 UTC.
Sep 24, 2026 · Self-published · Bluesky · source
The 2026 Field
Who else is running for Nebraska 2nd Congressional District
- Eric Michael ForemanLibertarian · On the 2026 ballot
- Brinker HardingRepublican · On the 2026 ballot
The Paper Trail
Filings, results and exhibits
U.S. Representative · NE-02
Democrat · Candidate · On the 2026 ballot
Sep 19, 2026 · Official
Not on file for Denise yet: Polls. Coverage varies by state and office.
File read Sep 25, 2026. Each item names its source. Record ID p_dg2358066.
GOTV Intel reports are sourced, cited research leads your campaign confirms against the primary record before use. They are never a consumer report and never for employment, credit, insurance, housing or licensure.