Candidates in crowded NE-02 Democratic field try to separate themselves in KETV forum

Source: Nebraska Examiner

Primary election is May 12
By: Juan Salinas II - April 12, 2026 10:47 pm

OMAHA — Democrats in a contested primary in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District tried to separate themselves from each other during an ABC affiliate KETV forum Sunday as the primary election fast approaches.

All but one candidate — former immigration attorney Evangelos Argyrakis — qualified for the forum. The race to be the Democratic nominee against the Republican nominee, Brinker Harding, in the slightly right-leaning 2nd District, has six people: Nebraska State Sen. John Cavanaugh, political action committee co-founder Denise Powell, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades, Navy veteran Kishla Askins, self-described Democratic Socialist Melanie Williams and Argyrakis.

The topics at the forum ranged from the Iran war, backgrounds and campaigns, federal spending and debt, saving Nebraskans’ money, and ICE enforcement of immigration laws. The questions were tailored to each candidate, except for the last topic.

Rhoades was asked how her stance on Israel would impact her decisions in Congress. Rhoades has written in an op-ed that she would “unapologetically” stand with Israel.


Nebraska 2nd congressional district Democratic candidates at a KETV forum in Omaha on April 12, 2026. They are, from left, Navy veteran Kishla Askins, Nebraska State Sen. John Cavanaugh, political action committee co-founder Denise Powell, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades and Democratic Socialist Melanie Williams. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)

Read more: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/12/candidates-in-crowded-ne-02-democratic-field-try-to-separate-themselves-in-ketv-forum/

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FULL story at link.

Omaha is the Blue Dot on a red map. This will be one of the most expensive races in the country because Nebraska splits its electoral college votes.

Harris WON the Blue Dot. Republican Bacon won the House seat. It is a swing district.

Video of the event here: https://www.ketv.com/article/nebraska-ketv-democratic-candidates-forum-congressional-primary/70976257

Donate to the candidates for the primary.

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