With about a month to go before the May 12 Democratic primary in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, Denise Powell's campaign released a poll memo with a headline that boasted that she had surged past State Sen. John Cavanaugh with a "winning message."Â
Denise Powell speaks with reporters during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center on May 12. After topping the other Democrats in the primary, Powell will face Republican Brinker Harding in the general election.
Supporters mingle during a primary election watch party for Denise Powell at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is running for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
A message supporting State Sen. John Cavanaugh is written on the mirror for the Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Jim Begley and Omaha City Council President Danny Begley check the first round of results at the State Sen. John Cavanaugh Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
People check their phones for the first round of results at the State Sen. John Cavanaugh Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Supporters mingle during a primary election watch party for Denise Powell at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is running for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Supporters cheer on during a primary election watch party for Denise Powell at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is running for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Denise Powell waves to supporters during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. At left is Powell's husband, Hobson Powell.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Denise Powell greets supporters during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. John Cavanaugh greets his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. John Cavanaugh talks to his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. John Cavanaugh enters his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Tim Conn, left, talks with State Sen. John Cavanaugh as Cavanaugh’s Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. John Cavanaugh talks to his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. John Cavanaugh Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. John Cavanaugh talks to his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
State Sen. John Cavanaugh greets his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Supporters gather around a laptop with election results for Nebraska's second congressional district during a primary election watch party for Denise Powell at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Hobson Powell cheers on as his wife, Denise Powell, takes the lead in the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district, during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Supporters cheer on as Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
Denise Powell speaks with reporters during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center on May 12. After topping the other Democrats in the primary, Powell will face Republican Brinker Harding in the general election.
