Democrat Denise Powell easily defeated Republican Brinker Harding Tuesday to win the race for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, riding a blue wave that was set to hand Democrats control of the House of Representatives.
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Brinker Harding concedes Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District to Denise Powell
Photos: 2026 Election Day watch parties in Nebraska
Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District talks with supporters at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer speaks at the Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer speaks at the Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Rep. Don Bacon listens to speakers at the Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District talks with supporters at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District talks with supporters at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Former Omaha mayor Jean Stothert speaks at the Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District's election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Rep. Don Bacon speaks at the Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District's election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Scott Petersen, Republican candidate for Nebraska Secretary of State is seen at the Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
UNO students Anton Rudnytskyi, left, and Jefferson Smith, both 19, check for election results on Smith’s phone during an election night watch party for Dan Osborn, nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, at Scott Conference Center on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Barb Harris celebrates after the first results show Dan Osborn, nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, in a significant lead against incumbent Republican Pete Ricketts during an election night watch party in Scott Conference Center on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Bumper stickers, buttons and other campaign swag sit out for supporters of Dan Osborn, nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, during an election night watch party in Scott Conference Center on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates with her supporters during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Supporters watch on as CNN updates the Nebraska Senate race at a watch party for Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, speaks during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, speaks during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, speaks during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Disabled Army veteran Mona Williams sheds tears of joy while watching national election results lean Democrat at an election night watch party for Dan Osborn, nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, at Scott Conference Center on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Lushawn Smith, left, and Luanna Townsend celebrate as national election results roll in while at an election night watch party in support of Dan Osborn, a nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, at Scott Conference Center on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Mitch Dill wears his “I Voted Today” sticker alongside one in support of Dan Osborn, a nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, during an election night watch party at Scott Conference Center on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Rebecca Harding, right, embraces her husband Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, as he concedes at election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District concedes the race to Denise Powell at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, wears an elephant and American flag pins at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District concedes the race to Denise Powell at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District concedes the race to Denise Powell at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
People watch as Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District concedes the race to Denise Powell at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, facing, hugs his wife, Rebecca Harding as he concedes the race to Denise Powell at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Rebecca Harding, right, embraces her husband Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, as he concedes at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Rebecca Harding, right, embraces her husband Brinker Harding, Republican candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, as he concedes at his election night watch party at the Omaha Regency Marriott in Omaha, on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates with her family after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, embraces her father, Joaquin Blaya, after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates with her daughter, Cecilia, after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Supporters cheer on as Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Supporters cheer on as Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Dan Ullman, left, and Lois Rood cheer election results while at an election night watch party for Dan Osborn, nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, at Scott Conference Center on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Leaf Price, 23, wears a sweatshirt with the message, “Stop the war, stop AI, stop the billionaires,” while at an election night watch party in support of Dan Osborn, nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, at Scott Conference Center on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
From left, Tyler Olsen, Bella Gerloff and Rachael Jaixen celebrate the Democrat win of the Ohio governor’s race while attending an election night watch party in support of Dan Osborn, nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, at Scott Conference Center on campus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Denise Powell, Democratic candidate for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, celebrates after defeating Republican Brinker Harding during an election watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
