--- title: "Powell vs. Harding: 2026 Nebraska’s 2nd District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ne-02" updated: "2026-10-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Nebraska’s 2nd District race: Denise Powell (D) vs. Brinker Harding (R) Rating: Tilt D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: October 1, 2026 Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District is an open-seat battleground following the retirement of Republican incumbent Rep. Don Bacon. The district, which encompasses Douglas and Saunders counties along with parts of Sarpy County, voted for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024 and is widely viewed by analysts as a top pick-up opportunity for Democrats. ## Candidates - **Denise Powell** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Denise_Powell) - **Brinker Harding** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://www.brinkerharding.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brinker_Harding) ## Issues ### Economy and cost of living Salience: high Powell emphasizes anti-price-gouging regulations, childcare expansion, and opposing tariffs, whereas Harding highlights tax cuts, reducing federal spending, and expanding E-15 energy production. **Denise Powell:** Supports targeted relief and stopping tariffs Powell emphasizes lowering everyday household costs for working families by halting broad tariffs, building affordable housing, and expanding childcare. She advocates for small business support, job training programs, guardrails on artificial intelligence, and anti-monopoly enforcement to prevent price gouging. - Stop tariffs to reduce cost of living on everyday items - Build affordable housing for first-time buyers and middle-class families - Expand Child Tax Credit to $3,600 and make it permanent - Increase funding and capital access for small businesses and job training > “Stop Trump’s illegal tariffs to help bring down the costs of items Nebraska families need every day.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** Promotes tax cuts and spending discipline Harding focuses on growing the economy through tax cuts, federal budget elimination of waste, and lowering gas and grocery prices. Drawing on his Omaha City Council record of balancing budgets and cutting property taxes, he advocates for energy expansion and deficit reduction. - Cut taxes and reduce federal debt to curb inflation - Pass year-round E-15 fuel sales to lower gas prices - Eliminate wasteful government spending to balance the budget - Repatriate supply chains and support AI and cryptocurrency leadership > “On the City Council, I have voted to lower Omaha’s property tax levy three times.” > — Brinker Harding, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brinker_Harding) ### Healthcare and prescription drug costs Salience: high Powell supports a public option and capping insulin prices through government negotiation, while Harding focuses on forcing international drug price parity and restricting benefits for non-citizens. **Denise Powell:** Supports public option and drug price caps Powell seeks to reduce healthcare costs by expanding Medicare drug price negotiations and capping insulin prices at $35 monthly. She advocates for creating a Medicare-like public option and strengthening the Affordable Care Act. - Require Medicare to negotiate prices for more prescription drugs - Cap insulin costs at $35 per month for all Americans - Establish a Medicare-like public option while preserving private coverage options - Expand insurance coverage for fertility treatments including IVF > “Take on big pharmaceutical companies by requiring Medicare to negotiate prices for more prescription drugs and capping insulin costs at $35 a month for everyone.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** Supports drug pricing parity and protecting entitlement benefits Harding pledges to lower prescription drug costs by forcing Big Pharma and insurance companies to offer Americans prices equal to lower international rates. He supports making healthcare and IVF accessible while preserving Social Security and Medicare for seniors and disabled citizens. - Guarantee Americans pay the same low prices for prescription drugs as other developed nations - Protect Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare for seniors, veterans, and disabled citizens - Make healthcare and IVF more accessible and affordable for families - Restrict entitlement program eligibility for illegal immigrants and able-bodied adults > “Take on Big Pharma and Big Insurance to guarantee Americans pay the same low prices for prescription drugs as other developed countries” > — Brinker Harding, via [Campaign site](https://www.brinkerharding.com/) ### Government reform and ethics Salience: high Both candidates agree on congressional term limits and stock trading bans, but Powell focuses on Supreme Court ethics and overturning Citizens United while Harding advocates for nationwide Voter ID. **Denise Powell:** Supports congressional reforms and ethics codes Powell proposes systemic ethics reforms aimed at restoring faith in federal institutions and limiting money in politics. Her platform includes banning stock trading by lawmakers, implementing term limits, and enforcing a Supreme Court ethics code. - Ban Congressional stock trading and enact congressional term limits - Pass a lifetime ban on members of Congress becoming lobbyists - Implement a binding Ethics Code for Supreme Court Justices - Overturn Citizens United and limit presidential pardon power > “Ban Congressional stock trading.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) > “Pass a lifetime ban on members of Congress from becoming lobbyists.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** Supports term limits, stock bans, and voter ID Harding campaigns on reforming congressional accountability to prevent career politicians from profiting in office. He supports congressional stock trading bans, term limits, shutting down lawmaker pay during government shutdowns, and national voter ID requirements. - Enact congressional term limits and ban congressional stock trading - Halt congressional salaries during government shutdowns - Pass nationwide Voter ID laws to restrict voting strictly to American citizens - Crack down on government waste and fraud > “Support term limits, ban congressional stock trading, and halt congressional salaries during government shutdowns” > — Brinker Harding, via [Campaign site](https://www.brinkerharding.com/) ### Border security and immigration Salience: high Powell pair border technology investments with legal citizenship pathways for Dreamers and long-term workers, whereas Harding prioritizes enforcement, deportations of violent offenders, and restricting safety-net benefits. **Denise Powell:** Supports border security alongside citizenship pathways Powell supports investing in border enforcement technology and personnel while pushing for comprehensive reform that offers earned citizenship for long-term residents and Dreamers. She sharply criticizes enforcement overreach and abuses by federal agencies. - Invest in personnel, training, and technology to secure the border - Create fair legal pathways to citizenship for long-term immigrants, essential workers, and Dreamers - Establish legal worker avenues to support agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing - Demand oversight and accountability for DHS and ICE enforcement practices > “Support efforts to provide the personnel, training and technology needed to secure America’s borders.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** Supports deportation of criminal illegal immigrants and border security Harding prioritizes strict border enforcement, deporting undocumented immigrants who commit violent crimes, and preventing non-citizens from accessing safety net benefits. He advocates for body cameras and clear uniforms for ICE agents. - Deport criminal illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes - Promote body cameras and identifiable uniforms for ICE agents - Ensure border security to prevent unvetted entries - Bar illegal immigrants from receiving Social Security, Medicaid, or Medicare benefits > “Deport criminal illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes” > — Brinker Harding, via [Campaign site](https://www.brinkerharding.com/) ### Abortion and reproductive rights Salience: high Powell strongly campaigns on codifying nationwide abortion rights and contraception protections, while Harding focuses his explicitly documented stance on making IVF accessible and affordable. **Denise Powell:** Supports federal abortion rights protections Powell centers her platform on defending reproductive healthcare, having previously organized ballot efforts and state advocacy against abortion bans. She advocates restoring federal abortion rights under Roe v. Wade and protecting contraception and IVF. - Restore federal Roe v. Wade protections nationwide - Codify access to contraception via the Right to Contraception Act - Pass the Right to IVF Act to expand fertility treatment coverage across insurance plans > “Protect abortion rights for Nebraska women by fighting to restore Roe v. Wade into law nationwide.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** Supports making IVF accessible and affordable Harding explicitly lists making IVF accessible and affordable for Nebraska families under his affordability platform, though his campaign materials do not outline a specific stance on federal abortion limits. - Make healthcare, including IVF, more accessible and affordable for Nebraska families > “Make healthcare, including IVF, more accessible and affordable for Nebraska families” > — Brinker Harding, via [Campaign site](https://www.brinkerharding.com/) ### Public safety and law enforcement Salience: medium Powell pairs police funding with community social workers and gun safety measures, while Harding focuses on police raises and strict criminal accountability. **Denise Powell:** Supports police funding, social workers, and gun safety Powell supports full funding for law enforcement alongside investments in officer mental health, social workers, and violence intervention. She advocates for gun safety legislation such as red flag laws and universal background checks. - Fully fund police departments while expanding social worker integration - Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act - Implement universal background checks and red flag laws to prevent gun violence > “Fully fund our police departments, providing access to training and mental health support for our officers, and investing in social workers to help expand the way we address the needs of our communities.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** Supports law enforcement pay increases and strict crime measures Harding highlights his record on the Omaha City Council opposing defunding efforts and giving police record pay increases. He ties these actions to Omaha reaching historic low violent crime rates. - Oppose defunding the police and expand officer pay and support - Hold criminals accountable to keep local streets safe - Replicate local crime reduction strategies at the national level > “In Omaha, we didn’t defund the police. We gave our heroes the record pay raise they deserve.” > — Brinker Harding, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brinker_Harding) ### Agriculture and trade Salience: medium Powell presents a detailed farm platform including the Farm Bill and Right to Repair laws, whereas Harding's primary agricultural commitment is expanding year-round E-15 fuel sales. **Denise Powell:** Supports Farm Bill passage and Right to Repair Powell opposes broad tariffs that hurt agricultural exports, advocating instead for targeted tariffs, bridge assistance programs, and a long-term Farm Bill. She supports farm equipment 'Right to Repair' laws and capital access for family farms. - Pass a long-term Farm Bill - Enact Right to Repair legislation for farm equipment - Use tariff revenues to fund Farmer Bridge Assistance programs - Expand low-cost loans for small family farms > “Pass a long-term Farm Bill, which Congress has repeatedly let expire.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** Supports year-round E-15 and Heartland agricultural growth Harding supports Nebraska agriculture primarily through energy policy, calling for federal approval of year-round E-15 fuel to drive crop demand and lower gas prices. - Pass year-round E-15 fuel sales to lower prices and bolster agricultural demand - Promote Heartland agricultural interests over coastal economic policies > “Pass year-round E-15 to help lower gas prices and support Nebraska agriculture” > — Brinker Harding, via [Campaign site](https://www.brinkerharding.com/) ### Foreign policy and national security Salience: medium Powell emphasizes rebuilding international alliances, diplomacy, and USAID programs, whereas Harding focuses on military rebuilding and 'peace through strength' deterrence. **Denise Powell:** Supports diplomacy, international alliances, and military oversight Powell criticizes recent foreign policy isolationism, advocating for strong alliances with foreign partners, re-establishing programs like USAID, and maintaining strategic defense capabilities against China and Russia under congressional oversight. - Rebuild foreign alliances with key partners like Canada and the European Union - Reestablish diplomatic initiatives and USAID programs - Require Congressional oversight on military operations and strategic exits - Invest strategically in defense capabilities against adversaries > “Fight to reestablish USAID and other key U.S. programs, while also working to rebuild relationships with key allies to rebuild America’s position as a true world leader.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** Supports peace through strength and rebuilding the military Harding advocates for rebuilding military readiness to deter foreign aggression from China, Russia, and Iran. He strongly criticizes the foreign policy strategy behind the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. - Rebuild the military to restore 'peace through strength' - Confront threats from Russia, China, and Iran - Critique foreign weakness and demand strong leadership globally > “In Congress, I will fight to keep our border secure, deport criminal illegal immigrants, rebuild our military to restore peace through strength, hold criminals accountable, and stand with law enforcement to keep our communities safe.” > — Brinker Harding, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brinker_Harding) ### Energy and environment Salience: low Powell advocates expanding clean renewable energy production, while Harding focuses on broader domestic energy expansion and biofuels. **Denise Powell:** Supports clean energy expansion Powell proposes expanding clean energy production to lower utility costs in the short term while addressing environmental protection in the long term. - Expand clean energy production to lower energy bills and protect the environment > “Expand clean energy production to bring down costs in the short term while protecting our environment in the long run.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** Supports domestic energy independence and E-15 Harding advocates expanding American energy production to decrease foreign energy reliance and lower gas prices through year-round E-15 biofuel sales. - Expand domestic energy production to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers - Pass year-round E-15 fuel access > “expand American energy production to reduce our dependence on foreign countries” > — Brinker Harding, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Brinker_Harding) ### Education and childcare Salience: medium **Denise Powell:** Supports childcare funding and public education investment Powell advocates for strengthening public education, early childhood learning, and vocational programs. She proposes expanding affordable childcare centers and raising childcare worker pay without shifting costs to families. - Invest in Head Start programs and expand local childcare centers - Legislate wage increases for the childcare workforce - Invest in high school vocational and apprenticeship programs - Strengthen community colleges and state university research funding > “Expand affordable childcare, investing in new centers near the places where folks work, and advocating for legislation that expands Nebraska’s childcare workforce by paying these critical workers more without increasing costs for parents.” > — Denise Powell, via [Campaign site](https://deniseforcongress.org) **Brinker Harding:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ne-02-house-election-winner) — NE-02 House Election Winner: Democrats 92.5%, Republicans 7.3% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/HOUSENE2-26) — NE-02 House winner?: Denise Powell 92.0%, Brinker Harding 8.5% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ne-02)