State Sen. John Cavanaugh fights GOP group's ad blitz and rival criticisms in Dem primary in NE-02
Source: Nebraska Examiner
A memo from national Republicans hinted that the GOP would prefer to face Cavanaugh
By: Juan Salinas II - April 3, 2026 2:14 pm Updated 7:27 pm
OMAHA Nebraska State Sen. John Cavanaugh is pushing back against a Republican-backed ad blitz targeting him during the stretch run of a contested Democratic primary in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District.
He held a press conference Friday at the local Nebraska Democratic Party office flanked by state party leaders and some of his legislative colleagues, including State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha and State Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue.
Cavanaugh called it a sign of his strength that the GOP ads had singled him out. Others, including some of his opponents, questioned whether Republicans were meddling in the Democratic primary to boost his campaign and blunt the impact of some recent criticisms of his bid.
Im disgusted, but not surprised, by the dark money MAGA Republican super PAC is trying to trick voters, Cavanaugh said. I believe Democrats know me. They know what Ive done. They will see through these false and cynical attacks.

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha at a Nebraska Democratic Party office in Omaha on April 3, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/ Nebraska Examiner)
Read more: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/03/state-sen-john-cavanaugh-fights-gop-groups-ad-blitz-and-rival-criticisms-in-dem-primary-in-ne-02/
This is the Blue Dot district that we need to flip in November. Here is our DU ActBlue link for John: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4johncavanaugh
TheFarseer
(9,777 posts)Maybe Omaha Steve could weigh in because he probably follows this closer than I do. My sense is that Cavanaugh and Crystal Rhodes are more centrist and Denise Powell is more Liberal/Progressive. Cavanaugh seems most likely to win in a general but they would all have a decent chance. That is just my uninformed assumption.
Omaha Steve
(109,266 posts)I probably should not comment on this beyond Cavanaugh is leading in the polls for the primary.
I live in CD-1 and can't vote in this race.
OS
The Cook Political Report wrote: If Democrats dont win Nebraskas 2nd District next year, its 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.
A sixth candidate, Evangelos Argyrakis has no ActBlue page for a donation link and has dropped out of the race.
TheFarseer
(9,777 posts)But Ive only seen ads for the 3 I mentioned. Im honestly not sure who I want to see win the primary. Just need to keep it a clean positive campaign and win the general!
Gaytano70
(1,235 posts)I know Cavanaugh is a good person and would be an amazing candidate against Brinker Harding. I know who I will vote for in the primary, but I will support whomever wins on May 12.
I will say I am disgusted by one of the Democrats who is also running (I will not name them) who said in an interview for KETV that they had a poll (no evidence of said poll) that showed 53% of Democrats will not vote for John in the general election. I sincerely hope that political opportunist candidate does not win the nomination, but I am OK with any of the others.
TheFarseer
(9,777 posts)I 100% dont believe that poll