Will NE-02 (Blue Dot) Democratic field come together after heated primary?

[Omaha Steve]

Some candidates say they will, while some signal hesitation
By: Juan Salinas II - May 10, 2026 12:00 pm

OMAHA — After a heated primary to be the Democratic nominee in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, will the candidates unite behind the winner?

Of the top-polling candidates in the six-person race, State Sen. John Cavanaugh and Political Action Committee co-founder Denise Powell have both said publicly that they will support whoever wins the primary, while Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades and Retired U.S. Navy veteran Kishla Askins have signaled some hesitation.

“Our democracy is too fragile to let bruised egos get in the way of it … I am 100% committed to supporting whoever gets through this primary,” Powell told the Examiner last week.

After dealing with campaigning for roughly a year, voters in Nebraska’s 2nd District Democratic primary race should find out this week who their nominee is to face off against the presumptive Republican nominee, Omaha City Council member Brinker Harding. The race for the Democratic nomination has seen some of the top candidates attacking each other and a lot of ads, including from outside groups.


Cutouts at an Omaha office of the Nebraska Democratic Party on April 3, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/ Nebraska Examiner)

[Omaha Steve]

1. KICK

[Omaha Steve]

2. Kick