Blue dot gamble? Dem insiders weigh chance that winning Congress could lose Legislature

Denise Powell, right, and John Cavanaugh, two of the candidates battling to be the Democratic candidate to fill the Omaha-area seat for the United States Congress.

Millions in dark money ads spent on behalf of candidate Denise Powell have told Democratic primary voters that State Sen. John Cavanaugh going to Congress could give Republicans a filibuster-proof majority in the Legislature. But that’s far from the whole story, some experts argue.

By Henry J. Cordes May 6

State Sen. John Cavanaugh on Saturday took up one of the flyers accusing him of putting the “Blue Dot” at risk and tore it to shreds.

He and his supporters were using pieces of the thousands of attack flyers that have hit Omaha-area mailboxes to make collage-style “Vote Cavanaugh” signs — the symbolic, cathartic activity perhaps creating some modest benefit for his campaign from the ads that have shaken up the Democratic primary in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.

A pair of progressive super PACs have spent more than $1 million pounding home a dire message: If Cavanaugh is elected to Congress and gives up his seat in the Nebraska Legislature, it would give Republicans the votes needed to erase the “Blue Dot” in presidential elections and pass a total abortion ban.

Cavanaugh has decried the anonymity behind the dark money ads run against him and in support of primary opponent Denise Powell, countering with his own message: Democrats are poised for a big political year, set to gain seats in the Legislature.

FULL story: https://flatwaterfreepress.org/blue-dot-gamble-dem-insiders-weigh-chance-that-winning-congress-could-lose-legislature/

Both Cook Political Report and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball, two of the leading election forecast publications, have upgraded their ratings for Nebraska’s 2nd District from toss-up to leans Democratic. Making it a likely candidate for big spending as the GOP attempts to maintain or bolster its small majority, and Democrats try to take back control.

https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings

https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2026-house/

The Cook Political Report wrote: “If Democrats don’t win Nebraska’s 2nd District next year, it’s almost impossible to see them taking control of the House.”


There are 5 Democrats that are running in the primary May 12th. The DU is neutral in all races between Democrats. That said, here are the five DU ActBlue links we have for the NE-2 primary Blue Dot race.

Democratic Underground for Melanie Williams (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/duforwilliams/

Democratic Underground for Denise Powell (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4denisepowell

Democratic Underground for John Cavanaugh (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4johncavanaugh

Democratic Underground for Crystal Rhoades (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4crystalrhoades

Democratic Underground for Kishla Askins (NE-2) https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4kishlaaskins

Democratic Underground for James Leuschen NE-2 has dropped out of the race.

Another candidate, Evangelos Argyrakis has no ActBlue page for a donation link and has dropped out of the race.