OMAHA - Candidates in the race to replace Rep. Don Bacon in Congress drew nearly $2 million in fundraising over the past three months, according to the most recent Federal Election Commission filings.

Republican Brinker Harding led the crowded field, raising $561,527 in the third quarter of 2025, which began July 1 and ended Sept. 30. Harding, vice president of the Omaha City Council, announced the total on social media, saying, "We will use your contributions effectively and efficiently to get our message out and keep CD2 Red."

Former state lawmaker Brett Lindstrom, also a Republican, raised $286,958 in the third quarter. His PAC, Conservative Cornhuskers, also brought in $123,980.

Denise Powell was the leading Democrat, raising $311,490. Powell, the founder of a political action committee, raised major money in the year's second quarter. She brought in about $430,000 and leads all candidates in total fundraising. Kishla Askins had the second-highest total among Democrats. The Navy veteran and former federal official with the Department of Veterans Affairs raised $250,865. James Leuschen, a former Capitol Hill staffer who focused on economic policy, raised $219,369. Leuschen is the newest candidate in the race. He launched his campaign in mid-September.

State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha raised $192,153 to go with the roughly $130,000 he raised in the year's second quarter. Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades raised $50,710.

The election for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District will be in November 2026, and the race will be among the most closely watched in the country. Bacon won the seat in tight races, and election tracking services are predicting a flip from red to blue. The seat will be a key factor in who controls Congress for two years.

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