NRCC Statement on NE-02

May 14, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) released the following statement on Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District primary election: 

“Fourth-generation Omahan, business leader, and former City Councilman Brinker Harding’s decisive primary win and history of delivering common sense wins sets him up for victory this fall. Dark-money Denise Powell is a career political operative who escaped an expensive, messy primary. Powell pushes a radical anti-law enforcement agenda while promoting dangerous social policies on children, proving she is too extreme for Nebraska.” – NRCC Spokesman Zach Bannon

BACKGROUND

  • Republicans currently hold a voter registration advantage over Democrats, with 15,345 more Republicans than Democrats.
  • Since 2022, the Raw GOP voter registration advantage has nearly quadrupled (+4,074 in March 2022 versus +15,345 in May of 2026).
  • Since Don Bacon was elected in 2016, 4 other Republicans have won NE-02.
  • Since Don Bacon’s first election, 5 Republicans have won Douglas County in midterms.
  • President Trump won Sarpy County by 23 points in 2024 and Saunders County by 46 points in 2024.