All eyes on Congressional Dist. 2 Democratic race as Powell pulls ahead

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary at one point seemed headed for a recount as results posted late Tuesday night showed the top two contenders separated by less than 1,000 votes.

John Cavanaugh had been slightly ahead of Denise Powell after Douglas County Election Commission’s 9:45 p.m. update; but the 10:45 p.m. results put her ahead with 19,516 votes to Cavanaugh’s 18,647 — a difference of 869 votes.

Both candidates made appearances at their respective gatherings at around 10 p.m. Powell gave a brief statement, thanking supporters and saying the race was too close to call.

“Let’s get this done, shall we?” she said.

Simultaneously, Cavanaugh addressed those at his gathering, reiterating his campaign messages and reminding his supporters that he’s looking to push back against President Trump.

Nebraska law triggers an automatic recount when the margin separating the top candidates is 1% or less, in races with more than 500 votes cast.

Early winners

Early ballot counts were enough for The Associated Press to call several primary races shortly after the polls closed at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Gov. Jim Pillen will face Democratic challenger Lynne Walz in the General Election. Sen. Pete Ricketts also secured his spot on the November ballot. Cindy Burbank won the Democratic primary — but she has said in previous news reports that she plans to drop out of the race in order to give Independent Dan Osborn a better chance against Ricketts.

Elsewhere in the state, Chris Backemeyer won the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District. Backemeyer will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Nebraska’s primary election on Tuesday, May 12, will narrow the field of candidates going into the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Note that Tuesday night’s vote tallies will be unofficial until the Secretary of State certifies the election. The most recent results from the Douglas County Election Commission posted just after polls closed at 8 p.m., with updates at 9:45, 10:45, and 11:30 p.m.

ELECTION 2026

Top races

NE-02

Tuesday’s most-watched — and most contentious — race will be the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District representative, especially as State Sen. John Cavanaugh and Denise Powell ramped up their fierce campaigns in recent weeks.

Van Argyrakis – 0.3%
Kishla Askins – 5.8%
John Cavanaugh – 36.8%
James Leuschen – 0.6%
Denise Powell – 38.9%
Crystal Rhoades – 13.9%
Melanie Williams – 3.8%

Brinker Harding, a longtime Omaha City Councilman, is unopposed on the Republican primary ballot and will advance to the General Election in November; as will Libertarian Eric Michael Foreman.

NE-01

Democats are choosing between two candidates:

Chris Backemeyer – 59.2%
Eric Moyer – 40.8%

The winner will face incumbent Congressman Mike Flood, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

Governor

Five people filed to attempt to primary Gov. Jim Pillen on the Republican ballot. Pillen won, receiving 33,379 votes

Sal Holguin – 0.8%
Sheila J. Korth-Focken – 7.6%
Jim Pillen – 75.7%
Gary L. Rogge – 3.7%
Jacy Todd – 2.7%
John Walz – 9.5%

Two people are running on the Democratic ticket. Lynne Walz won with 51,935 votes.

Larry Marvin – 8.7%
Lynne Walz – 91.3%

Two people are also in the running for the Legal Marijuana Now party:

Rick Beard – 68.9%
James J. Charvat III – 31.9%

U.S. Senator

Incumbent Pete Ricketts has four challengers on the Republican ballot. Ricketts won with 67,620 votes.

Todd Knobel – 7.8%
Eric Mortimore – 7.8%
Pete Ricketts – 81.8%
Debb Axtell Schultz – 5.9%
Mac Stevens – 2.6%

The Democratic run has made headlines in the lead-up to the primary, with Cindy Burbank saying she would drop out of the race entirely if she won in order to give potential independent Dan Osborn a leg up in November; and the Nebraska Democratic Party accusing William Forbes of being a GOP plant who is only in the race to pull votes away from Osborn. Burbank won with 48,559 votes.

Cindy Burbank – 89.2%
William J. Forbes – 10.8%

The Legal Marijuana Now party also has two candidates trying to make the November ballot.

Earl Starkey – 33.6%
Mike Marvin – 66.4%

More election results

Other statewide races

Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, a Republican, will face Democratic candidate Jocelyn Brasher in November as both are running unopposed in their respective primaries.

State Auditor Mike Foley is running unopposed on the Republican primary ballot, and currently has no challenger for the General Election.

State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg, a Republican, will also automatically advance, as will Democrat Daniel Ebers.

Secretary of State

Incumbent Bob Evnen is being challenged in the a Republican primary by Scott Petersen.

Bob Evnen – 45.2%
Scott Petersen – 54.8%

Two Democrats are also vying for the November race. Slattery won.

Lee M. Cimfel – 9%
Sarah J. Slattery – 91%

Democrat Susanne Shore’s candidacy for the nonpartisan Dist. 4 Regent seat brought a bit of attention to the race, regardless of whether they’re in the district or not, as she is the wife of U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, a Republican.

Larry Bradley – 19.9%
Jim Rogers – 15.6%
Susanne Shore – 35.1%
Michael Skocz – 5.1%
Justin Solomon – 24.3%

More election results

Douglas County races

County Attorney

Two Democrats are in the running to challenge County Attorney Don Kleine, a Republican, in the General Election.

Makayla Danner – 51.5%
Amy Jacobsen – 48.5%

County Clerk

Former State Sen. Justin Wayne is one of two Democrats running for this position:

Justin Wayne – 61.3%
Tom Barrett – 38.7%

County Treasurer

Tony Vargas, who ran two tight races to unseat Congressman Don Bacon is among two Democrats running for county seat. Tim Cavanaugh currently holds the seat, replacing John Ewing Jr. after he became Omaha’s new mayor last June.