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Harding, Powell clash over Trump, taxes and Iran in Nebraska CD2 debate

Josh Reyes
World-Herald Bureau
Oct 15, 2026
Oct 15, 2026 Updated 18 mins ago
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Republican candidate Brinker Harding and Democratic candidate Denise Powell participate in the 2nd Congressional District debate hosted by The World-Herald and Nebraska Public Media in Lincoln Wednesday. The two clashed over several political topics, including the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act and Social Security.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Jackie Ourada, Nebraska Public Media's managing editor, and Aaron Sanderford, The World-Herald's managing editor, moderate a 2nd Congressional District debate between Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell at Nebraska Public Media's studio in Lincoln on Wednesday.

NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Josh Reyes
World-Herald Bureau

LINCOLN — Wednesday night's debate on Nebraska Public Media and Omaha.com was the second of three for Democratic nominee Denise Powell, a communications consultant and founder of a political action committee that supports women candidates, and Republican nominee Brinker Harding, an Omaha City Council member and commercial real estate agent.

101426-owh-new-cd2debate2-nf-27 — Brinker Harding, Republican candidate, and Denise Powell, Democratic candidate, participate in the 2nd Congressional District debate hosted by Nebraska Public Media and The World-Herald in Lincoln on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

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101426-owh-new-cd2debate2-nf-18 — Denise Powell, Democratic candidate, speaks during the 2nd Congressional District debate hosted by Nebraska Public Media and The World-Herald in Lincoln on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

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101426-owh-new-cd2debate2-nf-16 — Brinker Harding, Republican candidate, speaks during the 2nd Congressional District debate hosted by Nebraska Public Media and The World-Herald in Lincoln on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

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Denise Powell, Democratic candidate, speaks during the 2nd Congressional District debate hosted by Nebraska Public Media and The World-Herald at NPM's studio in Lincoln on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

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