A race of national significance brought a nationally known Democrat to South Omaha Tuesday.
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed Democratic 2nd District Congressional nominee Denise Powell at a campaign event held in Metro Community College’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing. The potential 2028 presidential hopeful called Powell a leader who “embodies that idea of out with the old ways and in with something new and better.”
“We’ve got to have leaders who are ready to deliver a future that is better-not just better than now, but better than before,” Buttigieg said. “So that’s why I’m crisscrossing the country and supporting candidates ready to lead us to the future.”
Powell faces Republican nominee and longtime Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding and Libertarian Eric Foreman in the fight for the congressional seat held by Rep. Don Bacon since 2017. There’s a lot on the line for both parties. The race holds the potential to influence political control of the House of Representatives.
Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, sometimes called the “blue dot,” has awarded its singular Electoral College vote to Democratic candidates in the past two presidential elections – while also consistently supporting Bacon, a moderate Republican. With Bacon’s retirement, the Cook Political Report rates the district as leaning toward a Democratic flip.
In a statement shared Monday, Powell said she is “thrilled to have the endorsement.” Local and national groups and local leaders have also thrown their support behind Powell, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund and former 2nd District Democratic nominee Tony Vargas, who spoke in support of Powell on Tuesday.
Harding has been endorsed by some of Nebraska’s biggest political leaders, including Bacon and Gov. Jim Pillen. He has also been endorsed by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Before introducing Buttigieg to a packed room Tuesday, Powell highlighted her campaign priorities of access to health care, affordability, protecting Social Security and funding public schools.
“We’re gonna keep showing up. We’re gonna do big things in November,” Powell said, “but I’m asking you to believe in me.”