Democrat outraises Republican in competitive NE-O2 race, but both have about $1M to spend
Jul 23, 2026 | 4:57 pm ET
Description
Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell will face off for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District in November 2026. (Candidate photos courtesy of respective campaigns | U.S. Capitol photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
OMAHA — Democrat Denise Powell raised significantly more money than Republican Brinker Harding in Nebraska’s most-watched congressional race, according to the latest campaign finance reports, but the two are almost even when it comes to how much cash they can spend.
Powell raised roughly $1.05 million compared to Harding’s $620,000 from April through June, federal records show. Harding has about $1.04 million in cash on hand, and Powell has just less than $1 million.
They’re both running for the 2nd Congressional District, and the race is wide open after Republican Rep. Don Bacon announced he wouldn’t seek the office again. Powell won the heated Democratic primary race in May, while Harding coasted to the GOP nomination.
Powell has raised roughly $2 million throughout the entire cycle. Harding has raised $1.8 million. She has spent $1.6 million so far; Harding spent roughly $843,000.
Like in other cycles, election analysts view the district as a top pick-up opportunity for the minority Democrats hoping to take over Republicans’ slim majority in the closely divided U.S. House. Powell’s campaign said the wind is in their sails on a social media post about the latest fundraising quarter.
Most of Powell’s donations in this cycle come from Nebraska, with New York and California in the other top spots, according to the latest Federal Election Commission data. Harding also received most of his donations from Nebraska, with Washington, D.C., and Florida as the next-largest sources of his campaign money.
The Harding campaign touted the quarter as proof that Harding has “built the grassroots machine and broad coalition needed to hold NE-02 and help Republicans secure another House Majority this fall.”
Libertarian Eric Michael Foreman is also running for the 2nd District seat; he hasn’t yet filed a campaign fundraising report. Federal law requires congressional candidates to file campaign finance paperwork once a campaign has raised or spent $5,000 for a race.
Nonpartisan candidate Christopher J. Feuerbach is working to get on the ballot by gathering signatures of support, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. He hasn’t filed any FEC reports.
The general election is Nov. 3.
Lincoln, NE
