2nd Congressional District
Republican Brinker Harding, Democrat Denise Powell and Libertarian Eric Michael Foreman, all of Omaha, are seeking to succeed incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Bacon of Papillion, R-Neb., (2017-present), who declined to seek reelection.
The Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District consists of all of Douglas and Saunders counties and western Sarpy County.
District map: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/media/images/maps/2021/congress/dist2.pdf
An asterisk denotes a question asked ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. The responses below include candidates’ responses to questions ahead of the May 12 primary.
The Candidates
Eric Michael Foreman
Libertarian
Eric Michael Foreman of Omaha, 46, works in property management and maintenance. He is a high school graduate with additional education in culinary arts, trade skills and applied sciences.
Brinker Harding
Republican
Brinker Harding of Omaha, 65, is a member of the Omaha City Council (2017-present), a commercial real estate broker and businessman. He was chief of staff to former Mayor Hal Daub, a former member of Congress.
Denise Powell
Democrat
Denise Powell of Omaha, 48, is a small business owner and community leader. She co-founded the Women Who Run Political Action Committee. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations.
The Issues
Reason for Running
What should voters know about you and why you are running for this position? What is one interesting fact about yourself?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
I'm running for the blue-collar workers, modest families and everyday Nebraskans. D.C. ignores us, ships our money overseas, drags us into endless wars. Jacks up taxes and leaves borders wide open. As a kid, I got locked up. No real charges, just stolen time and loss of my adolescence. Locked down young, I studied the Constitution. Learned that our rights are not from government; they are ours to defend. It taught me to speak up for the lesser, lead by example and question unfair authority.
Brinker Harding (R)
America turns 250 this year. Our founders risked everything, their lives, their wealth, their reputations, to build the greatest country known to man. That spirit of sacrifice is what public service is supposed to be about. Too many members of Congress have turned the public's trust into personal benefit, trading stocks on inside information, collecting paychecks during government shutdowns and running for reelection instead of running the country. I serve on the Omaha City Council and helped build Omaha into one of the best cities in America to live and raise a family. I want to bring that to Washington. On a personal note, I'm a certified swimming official who started this year's metro and state swim championships, and I've skydived six times. My wife, Rebecca, thinks I'm nuts, but the biggest risks in life come with the biggest rewards.
Denise Powell (D)
I’m a mom, daughter of immigrants, small business owner and public school and health care advocate who knows a strong work ethic and a love of family and community is the Nebraska way of life. I also know the Good Life is getting harder to come by. It’s why I started an organization to elect more women and fight for what makes Nebraska special and why I led efforts to stop an abortion ban and fought efforts to strip funding from public schools. I’m running because I’m tired of seeing folks struggling to make ends meet while Trump makes life harder for working people by cutting health care, starting trade wars that hurt farmers and make groceries more expensive, turning ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] into a political police force that terrorizes communities and spending billions of dollars to go to war with Iran while driving up gas prices. Trump and his allies continue to get richer, while hardworking Nebraskans can’t make ends meet. This corruption and abuse of power must be stopped, but Congress is asleep at the wheel.
Priorities
What issues would you prioritize if elected, and why?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
My top priorities are real accountability and genuine representation. No more absentee D.C. reps. I will hold regular in-person town halls, not phone-ins. I will listen face-to-face, not from some ivory tower. No more top-down deals that subvert our courts. Empower our sheriffs and restore their constitutional authority as the shield against federal overreach. We need to hand power back to “We the People.” Cut the strings and let Americans govern themselves again. We've seen the system steal from us, It’s time we take it back.
Brinker Harding (R)
Since 2020, consumer prices are up 26%, rent 33% and home prices 55%. Incomes haven't kept up. Rebecca and I have two daughters, one in college and one just entering the workforce. We see the pressure on young people firsthand. A 2025 Harvard poll found only 30% of Americans ages 18 to 29 believe they'll have it better than their parents. That is not acceptable, and reversing it is why I'm running. In Congress, my focus is to work to make life more affordable and make Washington more accountable to the people. Making life more affordable starts with keeping taxes low and making the pro-growth tax cuts permanent. It means cutting the regulations driving up housing costs, and taking on big pharma so Americans stop subsidizing the rest of the world's prescription drug prices. It also means protecting our safety net for the people who truly need it — veterans, seniors and the disabled — while stopping the waste that drives up costs for everyone else. But you can't fix the economy without fixing Washington first. I will ban congressional stock trading, end congressional pay during government shutdowns and pass realistic term limits. Congress should be a service, not a career.
Denise Powell (D)
In Congress, I’ll focus on lowering costs for Nebraskans, protecting and expanding access to affordable health care, overhauling ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and putting a check on the corruption and abuses of power of the Trump Administration. Nebraskans are struggling, and instead of lowering costs, Trump and MAGA Republicans are waging war in Iran and cutting essential programs people rely on. We have to put a stop to this and focus on serving everyday Nebraskans.
Budget*
What steps would you take to help Congress return to a regular budget process, rather than a series of continuing resolutions or emergency spending? What will you emphasize and/or deemphasize in federal spending and revenue to help Nebraskans, and why?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
I support strong incentives to force discipline in Congress. As Omaha’s own Warren Buffett once suggested, any time the federal deficit exceeds 3% of GDP, sitting members of Congress should become ineligible for reelection. That single rule would focus minds far more effectively than another round of speeches. On spending and revenue, my priority is to shrink the federal government’s claim on the productive work of Nebraskans. I would work to eliminate the federal income tax. Removing that tax would leave more money in the hands of Nebraska families, farmers and small businesses; encourage genuine economic growth; and reduce the dependency created by large federal benefit programs. Just as importantly, it would constrain Congress itself — without the income tax as an easy and expandable revenue stream, lawmakers would be forced to live within far tighter means and limit spending to essential constitutional functions. I would end federal programs and agencies that have no clear constitutional basis. What remains should be focused on genuine national defense, protecting the conditions for free enterprise and the limited infrastructure that states cannot handle alone. Nebraska’s prosperity depends on people keeping more of what they earn.
Brinker Harding (R)
Twelve appropriations bills, debated and passed on time, not a repeating cycle of continuing resolutions and last-minute omnibus bills. I support No Budget, No Pay. If Congress can't do its most basic job and pass a budget, members shouldn't get a paycheck. I'll push for real spending discipline, including sunset reviews on federal programs and an end to the earmark culture that turns budgeting into a slush fund. On priorities, I'll emphasize protecting the pro-growth tax cuts that put money back in Nebraskans' pockets and cutting the deficit-driving spending that helped fuel 9.1% inflation under the Biden administration. I'll push back on foreign aid that doesn't serve American interests and oppose duplicative federal programs better run at the state level. Nebraskans balance their household budgets every month. Washington should be held to the same standard.
Denise Powell (D)
Getting special interests out of Washington is critical to getting the federal budget process back on track. For too long, corporations and special interest groups have been driving legislative priorities, oftentimes out of step with the needs of everyday Americans. We need to center these needs to ensure budget priorities will help solve the problems our communities are facing. But over and over again, we see politicians putting our needs on the back burner to maintain their ties to the billionaire donors and corporations who help them line their own pockets. In the last year, the budget process has been held up countless times by elected officials juggling conflicting priorities while families in our communities have their healthcare and food assistance ripped away. I’m a mom and small business owner; I know that maintaining a budget sometimes requires trade-offs. It also requires having a clear set of priorities in the short and long term. Those priorities should always center around what best serves working families — not what will increase corporate profits margins or make the ultra wealthy even wealthier.
Economy/Affordability*
What federal legislation would you support or champion to improve the United States' economy and improve affordability for Nebraskans? Name at least one specific policy you believe is working in this area.
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
The most effective federal action to improve the economy and affordability for Nebraskans is to dramatically reduce the size and cost of government. I will champion legislation to eliminate the federal income tax. Removing that tax would put more money directly into the pockets of Nebraska workers, farmers and small business owners, spur genuine growth and reduce the dependency created by large federal benefit programs. At the same time we must cut federal spending so that the loss of income tax revenue does not simply add to the debt. I also oppose subsidies and mandates that prop up the ethanol industry. Without government support, many of these plants would not be economically viable. Taxpayers should not be forced to sustain businesses that cannot stand on their own in a free market. Lower taxes and policies that let Nebraska producers compete freely without corporate welfare will do more for affordability than any new spending program. One policy that has already proven effective is the expansion of American energy production. When domestic oil, natural gas and other energy sources increase without heavy subsidies, energy prices fall and every Nebraska household and farm benefits. That model of removing government barriers and special favors, rather than adding new ones, is the direction we should continue.
Brinker Harding (R)
One policy that's already working: the Working Families Tax Cut. It stopped what would have been the largest tax increase in history, delivered real relief on tips, overtime and Social Security income and helped bring inflation down from a 40-year high of 9.1% to roughly 2.7% today. I'll also fight to cut the regulatory red tape driving up costs — like with new home construction. A recent study found government regulation accounts for nearly a third of the cost of a new home in Omaha. On healthcare, I support codifying President Trump's most-favored-nation drug pricing policy so Americans stop subsidizing lower prices in other countries.
Denise Powell (D)
In Congress, I’ll fight to secure immediate economic relief for Nebraskans, including supporting legislation that stops President Trump’s illegal tariffs and the Iran war, both of which have made everything from gas to groceries more expensive. Ultimately, tackling the root of the affordability crisis requires us to address a system that prioritizes the health of corporations over the health of hardworking families. We have to prioritize addressing the rising cost of healthcare and its impact on the financial health of our neighbors. Parents shouldn’t have to break the bank when a kid gets sick. Farmers and small business owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting sick or injured only to drown in medical bills. The Affordable Care Act makes essential care accessible to working families, but it was only a starting point. Expanding the ACA, particularly its enhanced premium tax credits, will help guarantee that families aren’t forced to choose between health insurance and paying their utility bills. We also need to address other gaps in care by providing a public option so more individuals can access quality healthcare. By lowering the cost of care, we can ease the financial pressure in the short term while setting ourselves up for a healthier future that will make life more affordable in the long run.
Immigration
What achievable changes to immigration policy would you advocate for and why? Do you support President Trump’s current deportation approach?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
Secure the borders first, with walls, technology and sheriffs’ oversight. Speed up asylum and citizenship pathways by cutting red tape so people can join us legally without years of limbo. Crack down on employers who exploit undocumented workers for cheap labor. Endless delays and exploitation only create problems. When we control our house, we can enforce the rules — smart, firm and achievable. Ditch the bureaucracy. I don’t fully agree with Trump’s approach on this. He pushes big numbers without a clear, practical plan. Deport real criminals. Blanket sweeps risk innocent lives and waste resources on political theater. As a Libertarian, I favor targeting real lawbreakers intelligently, not federal overkill with heavy arms or mass terror campaigns.
Brinker Harding (R)
We are a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. President Clinton said nearly the same thing in 1995, and Democrats claimed to believe it for decades. President Trump is simply following through on what both parties promised. Border security comes first. I support deporting criminal illegal immigrants and requiring body cameras for ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents. When the government has this much authority over people's lives, accountability and due process matter.
Denise Powell (D)
My parents came to this country to escape authoritarianism. They worked hard to build a life for themselves and their children. This is personal for me and why I know we must overhaul and hold ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] accountable before they receive any additional funding. We must demand independent investigations of abuses and require agents to adhere to the same high standards we expect of local law enforcement, including banning warrantless searches. We need comprehensive immigration reform now, which means we have to secure our borders, deport dangerous criminals, fix our asylum system, create a pathway to citizenship for those who have been here working and contributing to our communities for years, including DREAMers, and fix our temporary workers program to support industries critical to our neighbors and our economy, like agriculture and caregiving.
Birthright Citizenship*
The U.S. Supreme Court this summer struck down a Trump executive order related to birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Do you agree with the Supreme Court’s interpretation? Why or why not? Would you support any federal or constitutional changes to how the United States awards citizenship?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
I disagree with the Supreme Court’s interpretation. The 14th Amendment was adopted to secure citizenship for the newly freed slaves and their descendants, people who were already subject to the full jurisdiction of the United States. It was never intended to grant automatic citizenship to children of individuals who are in the country illegally or only temporarily. I would support federal legislation clarifying that “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” excludes those here unlawfully, and I would support a constitutional amendment if necessary to restore the original meaning. Citizenship is a profound privilege that should not be obtained through illegal entry or birth tourism. Nebraska communities feel the real costs of uncontrolled immigration; restoring the proper constitutional understanding is both just and necessary.
Brinker Harding (R)
The Supreme Court has ruled on this. The Fourteenth Amendment is part of our Constitution, and lasting changes to how it's applied should go through the constitutional process. I understand why so many Nebraskans are frustrated after years of unaddressed illegal immigration, and I'll support Congress taking up real, lasting immigration reform, including keeping the border secure, enforcing the laws already on the books and enacting legislation to fight birth tourism.
Denise Powell (D)
I was raised by immigrant parents who instilled in me an unshakeable belief in the American Dream: that here, in the land of opportunity, anyone willing to work hard and play by the rules should have a fair shot. Like most Americans, I believe that a strong border is essential to our national security, and I’ll work across the aisle to invest in the personnel, training and technology we need to actually make our communities safer. But when hardworking folks from around the world choose to start their families here in Nebraska, helping to grow our state’s economy and key industries, we should support them by upholding our commitment to the promise of our 14th Amendment.
International Relations*
What should be the United States' role in international relations, including trade and ally partnerships? How should Congress respond to international conflicts, including those involving China, Israel, Iran, Ukraine and Russia?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
The United States should pursue a foreign policy of peace through strength, free trade and nonintervention. Our primary duty is to defend the American people, our borders and our constitutional liberties. Not to police the world or fund endless foreign conflicts. Congress should authorize the use of force only when vital U.S. national interests are directly at stake and should end open-ended aid packages that lack clear objectives and exit strategies. With China we must protect American intellectual property, critical supply chains, and strategic industries while avoiding unnecessary military escalation. With Israel we should reduce our support until our alliance shows we share the same values and legitimate self-defense concerns, without writing blank checks. With Iran we should pursue maximum pressure against its nuclear ambitions and sponsorship of terrorism. In Ukraine and Russia, continued massive U.S. funding without a realistic path to negotiated peace serves neither American taxpayers nor long-term stability. Nebraska families and farmers benefit most when Washington prioritizes American prosperity and security over foreign adventurism.
Brinker Harding (R)
America should lead from strength, not retreat from the world stage. That means standing by our allies, holding adversaries accountable and using trade to expand opportunity for Nebraska farmers, ranchers and manufacturers, not to reward countries that cheat. We need a clear-eyed strategy against China: protecting American agriculture and supply chains from unfair trade practices and maintaining a strong deterrent in the Pacific. My position on Israel is unequivocal: Israel has the right to exist, defend itself and thrive, and I support continued security assistance, including Iron Dome and Iron Beam, and building on the Abraham Accords. Peace comes through strength in Iran, not appeasement; I oppose any revival of the failed Iran nuclear deal. In Ukraine and Russia, America has an interest in deterring aggression and ensuring our European allies share the burden of their own defense, but any assistance must come with accountability.
Denise Powell (D)
We have to approach both our allies and adversaries with measured diplomacy while making sure we’re answering first and foremost to the needs of American families. I believe in a strong national defense, and I’m committed to working with our armed forces to strategically address the threats presented by bad actors and terror groups. Congress needs to take back its oversight of international conflicts and stop President Trump’s war of choice in Iran, which has driven up the price of gas, fertilizer and other goods. We must also end Trump’s illegal tariffs, which, in addition to damaging our relationships abroad, have made costs rise exponentially and decreased markets for American products and crops. And we should prioritize rebuilding diplomatic relations with key allies to ensure we have a strong base of support as we continue to address the very real global challenges.
Presidential Performance
What should be the role of Congress in relation to the president and executive branch? What are your thoughts about how Congress has interacted with the two most recent presidents, Donald Trump and Joe Biden?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
Congress exists to enforce the people’s will, not rubber stamp the president’s edicts. It serves as a check on power by writing legislation, amending bills that threaten our rights, controlling spending and having the sole authority to declare war. Congress has become complacent and ineffectual, chasing political points with theatrics instead of upholding the Constitution. Checks and balances have been abandoned. Lobbyists drown out principled voices. There is no united front against authoritarian creep. That’s why I push to restore power to sheriffs and local authority, not D.C. kings. In both the Biden and Trump eras, Congress rolled over. Majorities allowed executive orders to fly unchecked. Borders fell into chaos, spending exploded into the trillions, and party loyalty trumped oversight. Neither side held the other accountable. No more partisan games. Hold every president accountable. Put people first, not power.
Brinker Harding (R)
Congress is the first branch of government and it needs to act like it. Under Biden, Congress enabled spending and regulatory expansion that drove inflation to 9.1% and squeezed Nebraska families. Today there is real momentum, but Congress still needs to pass budgets on time, maintain genuine oversight and reassert its Constitutional authority. A strong Congress checks executive overreach regardless of party. I intend to do my part.
Denise Powell (D)
Congress has failed to hold Trump accountable. By abdicating its oversight, this Congress has allowed Trump to run roughshod over our democracy, plunge us further into debt, alienate us from key allies and wreak economic havoc on families, small business owners and farmers. I’m running because it’s time for new leaders who will stand up to Trump, defend our democracy and protect Nebraskans.
Elections*
National Republicans and Democrats have called for major changes to how the nation runs its elections for years. What specific changes would you support or oppose, if any, and why?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
I support actual commonsense measures that protect the integrity of every legal vote. Requiring voter identification, regular cleaning of voter rolls, paper ballots with auditable trails and ending the practice of counting ballots that arrive after Election Day. I oppose federal takeovers of election administration and any effort to eliminate state authority over their own election procedures. These reforms do not suppress legitimate voters, they ensure that only eligible citizens determine the outcome. Trust in elections is essential to self-government, and Nebraskans deserve a system they can have confidence in.
Brinker Harding (R)
I support commonsense, broadly popular reforms, starting with photo ID to vote. This isn't a partisan issue — 71% of Democrats support voter ID — because Nebraskans understand secure elections require basic verification. Elections should be run close to the people, by county election commissioners Nebraskans know and trust, not dictated from Washington. What I oppose is using “election reform” as cover to make cheating easier, like eliminating ID requirements or mandating universal mail balloting without safeguards. Nebraskans deserve elections they can trust the outcome of.
Denise Powell (D)
The right to free and fair elections is a cornerstone of our democracy and something that should be protected at all costs. The security and integrity of our election system should always be protected, and also we should be doing everything in our power to encourage more people to vote in every election. To that end I support automatic voter registration as a way to eliminate one key hurdle. We should invest in secure election systems that are free from interference and enact policies that help ensure election officials can do their work without interference or intimidation.
Medical Cannabis*
President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Justice are moving to reclassify marijuana and medical cannabis as a less dangerous drug. Do you support this action? Why or why not?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
Yes, I support the reclassification of marijuana and medical cannabis. The federal government has no constitutional authority to criminalize or heavily restrict a substance that adults choose to use peacefully. Whether for medical relief or recreational purposes, what a person does with their own body is their own decision, so long as they are not harming anyone else. The Schedule I classification has been a long-standing example of federal overreach that has wasted resources, hindered research and punished nonviolent individuals. Moving cannabis to a less restrictive schedule is a step in the right direction; ultimately these decisions should be left to the states and to free individuals, not to Washington bureaucrats.
Brinker Harding (R)
I support the legalization of medical cannabis.
Denise Powell (D)
When I was advocating to get the measure to legalize medical marijuana on the ballot, I heard directly from people with serious medical issues who were desperately seeking the kind of relief medical cannabis can provide. The measure passed with overwhelming support because Nebraskans understand that with proper oversight, medical marijuana can really make life easier for folks in pain. At the same time, as a mom, nothing is more important to me than keeping harmful drugs out of our neighborhoods — that’s why I support fully funding our police departments, social services and the community intervention programs we need to keep our families safe.
Partisanship
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
I’m running as a Libertarian because I bring values that work for both sides: real individual liberty. You own what you own, life and property, not the government. Federal power that only exists to protect rights. A free market, with peace instead of endless wars. Christ guides me, but faith is personal. I won’t shove it down anyone’s throat. No Big Brother, no more corporate handouts. If Republicans want strong borders and lower taxes, if Democrats care about kids and justice, let’s work together. I’ll pour coffee or beer, listen without judgment and debate cleanly — no name-calling. We can disagree like neighbors fixing a fence: keep our privacy and differences but maintain respect. We don’t need the same toolbox, just the same goal — fighting for our rights and returning power to the people. Cross the aisle, shake hands and get real work done with grit, not games.
Brinker Harding (R)
I'm a Republican because I believe in limited government, free enterprise, individual liberty and a strong national defense. But nobody gets anything done alone. On the city council, I work with people I disagree with, because results matter more than scoring political points. There are things I won't bend on: fiscal responsibility, constitutional rights, keeping the government out of your wallet. NE-02 is competitive, and I have to earn the trust of a broad range of Nebraskans every single day. I welcome that.
Denise Powell (D)
In my work advocating for public schools, paid sick leave and health care access, I often found myself on the porches of Nebraskans with different views than mine. I always leaned on our shared values of a strong work ethic, family and community. And while we may not always agree on the “how,” oftentimes we agree on the “what” — and that’s a good starting point. It’s about being respectful of differences and working to find common ground to move forward. I’m running as a Democrat to make life better for all Nebraskans, regardless of their party.
Local Issues
What local concerns or issues have you heard from constituents that need to be addressed and why?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
In my community, people are fed up with corruption, overtaxation and the incompetence of elected officials. In Nebraska, leaders have failed to live within a budget while passing laws that restrict citizens but exempt themselves. Expecting the public to quietly pay more for their failures. Immigration, a major concern, is bringing violence, fear and higher costs. The cost of living has become a daily sacrifice, skyrocketing prices for groceries, fuel and no real solutions in sight.
Brinker Harding (R)
Nebraska families work hard, play by the rules and expect their government to do the same. Too often, Washington makes life more expensive without delivering anything in return. Government regulation accounts for nearly a third of the cost of a new home in Omaha. That is a policy failure Congress can fix. Small businesses need the certainty that comes with making the tax cuts permanent. Nebraska also has real workforce shortages in manufacturing, health care and the skilled trades. The answer isn't more federal programs, it's empowering the private sector and strengthening career and technical education so workers have a clear path to a good-paying career.
Denise Powell (D)
I’ve spoken to thousands of Nebraskans since I launched my campaign, and almost everyone shares a sense of uncertainty. They’re watching grocery costs skyrocket, health care costs triple, child care become more expensive and gas prices spike. They’re scared and don’t think anyone is coming to help. While folks struggle to keep up, Trump and his cronies keep getting richer, throwing the U.S. into more foreign wars, alienating our allies and deploying ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] agents to terrorize communities. Nebraskans deserve leaders who will put them first so they can have a real shot at the Good Life.
Office Role
What qualities define a good U.S. representative, and how would you meet those?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
A good representative must listen, be accessible and articulate the concerns of the people. They need a firm grasp of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, the humility and intellect to absorb new information, identify problems and craft practical solutions that benefit their constituency, not just a favored few. I genuinely care about people. I advocate for fairness and individual liberty. I have sacrificed my own time and energy to lift others up. I see issues at their core and anticipate problems before they grow. With a proven record of developing and implementing real solutions — with help or on my own — I’m ready to serve.
Brinker Harding (R)
A good representative remembers the job isn't about them. Too many arrive in Washington optimizing for their own reelection, their own stock portfolio and their own career. On the Omaha City Council, I show up, do the work and never lose sight of whose interests I am here to serve. In Congress, that means being accessible at home, doing the unglamorous work of legislating instead of performing for cameras and having the courage to do what's right for Nebraska even when it's not the easiest path.
Denise Powell (D)
I will be laser-focused on the issues that matter most to Nebraskans, to make people’s lives better, rather than catering to the D.C. special interests and billionaire donors, which is why I’m not taking corporate PAC [political action committee] money. There should never be any doubt about who I’m working for in Washington, and I’m ready to work with anyone who wants to solve the problems facing Nebraskans. We see so much corruption in Washington, and too many leaders are focused on making themselves richer at the expense of working people. I know what it takes to deliver for Nebraskans because I’ve been doing it for the last decade. I have fought to keep public dollars in public schools, raise the minimum wage, guarantee paid sick leave and stop a total abortion ban. I have seen what happens when Nebraskans come together and rally around things that are important. I love this state, and I will continue to work tirelessly for Nebraskans in Congress.
Constituent Engagement*
Do you commit to continue engaging with constituents and hearing feedback from them after the election? If so, how would you do so?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
Yes. If elected I will continue to meet regularly with constituents through in-person town halls across the district, open office hours in Omaha and my willingness to travel to surrounding communities, all to be inclusive and encompassing everyone I would represent. I will employ a responsive staff who return calls and emails promptly, and consistent updates through email, social media and a transparent website. Even thoughts about doing a daily vlog to document day-to-day. Activities and meetings so that people know exactly what their representative is up to, consistently. I will also hold community sessions focused on farmers, small-business owners, veterans, and families so that policy is informed by the people who live with the results. Representation does not end on Election Day.
Brinker Harding (R)
Absolutely. I am running to represent Nebraska’s Second District of the House of Representatives. I take very seriously what the office entails — representation. I've spent years in local government because I believe in being accessible and accountable to the people. That will not change when elected. I will focus on maintaining an office that is accessible and accountable to the district.
Denise Powell (D)
Yes. Before becoming a candidate, I worked behind the scenes on some of our state’s most important ballot measures. I wore through several pairs of sneakers traveling across Nebraska, knocking on thousands of doors and hearing directly about what really matters to our neighbors. Even when it seemed like common ground couldn’t be reached, I found it was never more than a tough conversation away. My dedication to having that tough conversation, to meeting my neighbors where they were, was what helped bring about the meaningful change we’d all been wanting to see from our state, from strengthening our public schools to expanding paid sick leave. In Congress, I’ll build on that commitment by reaching for every opportunity I have — from town hall meetings to visiting our local schools, farms and businesses — to listen to the Nebraskans who power our communities, no matter their political party, because Washington politics as usual have drowned out our needs for too long. I’ll assemble a team of folks on the ground who share my fierce love for the people who make Nebraska home and will fight alongside me to make the government work for you. Whether I’m in Washington or home in Omaha, I’ll always be guided by the needs of our communities.
Closing Message*
What is one thing that makes you stand out as the right person for the job?
Eric Michael Foreman (LIB)
I am not a career politician. I actually work for a living. I have spent my life helping people. Whether it was cooking for families needing a meal, fixing a neighbor’s car when they could not afford the shop, and getting a furnace running at 2 a.m. in below-zero weather for a family with a newborn. People know they can count on me. I am a father, a son, a brother, an American. I'm running as a Libertarian, and if you're like me, and believe the federal government has grown far beyond its constitutional limits and is harming the people it claims to help. You have a real choice this year. Nebraska’s 2nd District needs a representative who will fight to shrink Washington’s claim on what we earn, restore fiscal discipline, defend the Constitution as written and put American citizens, our children's future and Nebraskans, first. That is the standard I will hold myself to every day.
Brinker Harding (R)
I'm a fourth-generation Omahan who's spent nearly three decades building this community, not just talking about it. As a small business owner and Omaha city councilman, I've made the hard votes and delivered results without the drama. I'm running to make life more affordable and Washington more accountable, and I'll bring the same practical, results-first approach to Congress that I've brought to Omaha for years.
Denise Powell (D)
I found my American Dream in Nebraska and it’s the honor of my life to have a chance to serve my community this way. I don’t have all the answers — what I have is a commitment to being a real community partner, showing up and listening, working across the aisle and seeking out the best solutions for our state. At the end of the day, I’m a PTA mom striving to create opportunities for her kids, a daughter worrying about her aging parents, a small business owner worried about keeping the lights on and a deeply engaged member of this community watching my friends and neighbors increasingly burdened by skyrocketing costs. Eighty-three percent of Americans don’t think the government cares about them. I know that trust and respect aren’t given, they’re earned. And I will work every day to earn the trust of Nebraskans by working to solve the very real challenges our communities are facing. I never wanted to run for office, and I’m not in this race for power. I’m in this race because you deserve a real advocate. Unlike my opponent, I’ve always advocated for policies that make families’ lives better. And unlike my opponent, I won’t take a dime of corporate PAC money because hardworking Nebraskans are my only focus. And I’ll fight to fix a system that has let many of us down. In order to achieve the Good Life we talk about so much here in Nebraska, we need candidates in office who can bring fresh ideas and a real-world perspective to the table. I believe that in this race, I am that candidate.
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