May 31st, 2026 Len’s Political Note #815 Denise Powell Nebraska 02
2026 General Election
On November 21, in one of the supplemental segments at the end of a Note about Jessica Killin, a candidate for Colorado 03, I commented on Nebraska 02:
“Incumbent Republican Don Bacon, informal leader of Republican moderates in the House is not running for reelection. At least five Democrats are running for this toss up seat. The leader in the financial race is activist and non-profit leader Denise Powell. You may want to DONATE in order to help the front runner put the focus on the general election.”
Nebraska’s primary was May 12. Denise Powell defeated State Senator John Cavanaugh by a narrow margin – 38.8% to 36.4%. A third place finisher was at 14.1%. Some Republicans saw Cavanaugh as the tougher candidate and spread the word against him. If he won, the Governor, who appoints a replacement, would appoint a Republican. With one more Republican, the Nebraska Senate in this unicameral state, would eliminate the separate electoral vote that each Congressional District has. They would eliminate the chance that, in a Presidential election, Nebraska 02’s electoral college vote could decide a Presidential election in favor of a Democrat.
Convoluted? It may have had enough of an effect to make the difference. Not that it matters now. Denise Powell won the primary. She is the Democratic candidate running against Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding. The incumbent Republican, Don Bacon, a leader of moderate Republicans in the House, did not run for reelection. Trump-endorsed Harding is the only Republican in the race and the Republicans intend to elect him.
Denise Powell is a graduate of Westminster Christian School in Palmetto, Florida. The school quotes Galatians on their website: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” They announce their core convictions: “GOD is highest. His word is TRUTH..JESUS is our Lord.”
Denise Powell went from that private Christian school to the University of Miami where she was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi sorority and the Federation of Cuban Students.
Denise Powell left Miami for what appears to be New York, working in communications during the pandemic and the post-pandemic beginning with a focus on Latin America, heading multicultural marketing for another firm, becoming the manager of Pepsi-Cola’s employee communications and then head of the Hilton Hotels Brand Communication. All within six years after graduating from the University of Miami.
Denise Powell’s connection to Nebraska is the ordinary kind. She is married to Hobson Powell,. He is Vice President for Global Support for Linked In. He lives in Omaha. So has she – even for part of the time that she was working for international companies.
In a little Reddit back and forth about her, you can find an inquiry: “…is the Nebraska candidate for congress actually a California resident? Maybe that’s actually why she always travels with a passport? Inquiring minds need to know?”
A correspondent responds:
“Denise is a Nebraska resident with a long history of working on Nebraska political campaigns via Women Who Run. Her children attend school here, and her husband Hobson is employed by LinkedIn according to his LinkedIn, and they have a large office here in town.”
And another:
…she grew up in Miami. Her dad used to run Univision, and later Telemundo. I assume she keeps her passport because her parents are from Chile and Cuba, and these are the times we live in. But she’s lived in Nebraska for several years, and her kids go to Omaha Public Schools. She founded Women Who run. If you’ve done any volunteering in the last decade or signed a petition for abortion rights, you’ve met her.”
Denise Powell’s LinkedIn describes her first Nebraska-focused work beginning in 2010 as Communications Director for an organization called Nebraska Loves Public Schools. They would make brief documentaries about schools. She retained her national work as an independent consultant then became the partner for community engagement in an Omaha-based architecture firm in 2015.
In 2017, Denise Powell began her serious political work. She and Leanne Prewit, a marketing profession who returned to Omaha from workingin New York, founded Women Who Run. This is an organization proud of its accomplishments. They tout having raised nearly $350,000 since their beginning in 2017, their success in recruiting candidates and electing them. They point out that 65% of their endorsees have been elected.
Among those endorsed for the 2026 elections are
Lynne Walz for Governor
Sarah Slattery for Secretary of State
Jocelyn Brasher for Attorney General
Denise Powell, of course, for Nebraska 02
They do not stop. Their list is almost overwhelming – Thirteen candidates for Nebraska’s unicamerall legislative body, candidates for city councils, for county positions, for education boards, for commissions and boards.
Denise Powell and her colleagues at Women Who Run have created a powerhouse. It is a powerhouse that could propel her to Washington DC. They also hint at another kind of national ambition. Sometimes they call themselves Women Who Run and then add, in another font or another color, Nebraska. Do they have thoughts about a similar organization in every state? A national effort?
Denise Powell will need to focus on defeating the Republican nominee Omaha City Councilor Brinker Harding. He has spent his life working in commercial real estate and participating in Omaha city government. In his campaign website, Harding promises to make America “look less like the failed policies of California and New York and more like the Heartland.” He would Restore America by reducing spending to address the $37 billion national debt. He would Grow America by lowering taxes, supporting American industry, and no longer relying on foreign energy. He would Secure America by remedying policies that allowed 10 million illegal immigrants to enter the country. He would Renew America by fulfilling the promise of America that if you work hard, follow the law, and treat people right, you get a well-paying job, own your own home, and have a secure future for your children and grandchildren.
Does Harding remember that he is stealing from Bill Clinton who promised us good things for people who work hard and follow the rules?
The Cook Report describes the district as D+3, as Lean Democrat. This is certainly not an automatic Democratic seat. Since 1994 election, with the exception of one single one term election, Nebraska 02 has elected a Republican Member of Congress. We can change that. DONATE to Denise Powell’s campaign.
Nebraska can help move the Midwest toward Democrats and others who are not part of the Donald Trump cult.
US Senate: The Nebraska Democrat Party has quietly favored the election of Independent Dan Osborn. In a Mid-May poll, Labor Leader Dan Osborn led the Incumbent multimillionaire Pete Ricketts 47-42. Help sustain that lead. DONATE to Osborn’s campaign. See Len’s Political Note #765
Nebraska 01 Former State Department official Chris Backemeyer is challenging Incumbent Republican Mike Flood. There are no polls. On April 22, Flood led Beckemeyer in the financial race $1.3 million to $200,000. The Cook Report rates this District as Solid Republican. But it also Rates the district as R+6. That mkes it reachable. Despite Party advice to the contrary, Flood has held town halls. He has been blasted at those Town Halls. You hate to punish courageous behavior, but Mike Flood’s hold on the incumbency could have been shaken a little by the anger he faced. DONATE to Chris Backemeyer’s Campaign. Reduce that financial disparity and Nebraska could elect two Democratic Members of Congress.
Governor. Lynn Walz is a former school teacher and former state Senator. She is a distant cousin of the Minnesotan Tim Walz and has been a realtor for a while. In April, she funded a poll to test her candidacy, she trailed Governor Pillen 38-33. Rick Beard of the Legal Marijuana Party was behind with 12 points. With resources, Lynn Walz is within reach of being elected governor. Do not underestimate the effectiveness of Women Who Run. DONATE to Lynn Walz’s campaign.
