John Cavanaugh concedes CD2 Democratic primary to Denise Powell

Powell appears to have won the close race with 39% of votes to Cavanaugh's 37%, according to results available on the secretary of state's website Friday afternoon. Election results are not yet official.

Powell will face Republican nominee Brinker Harding, an Omaha City Council member, in the general election to replace retiring Rep. Don Bacon. 

Cavanaugh's concession came just after Douglas County election officials completed counting and publicly released early voting results. Most of the results were counted Tuesday night. 

Cavanaugh's campaign previously said it would wait for counting to finish before making a statement on the race.

The margin between Powell and Cavanaugh is 892 votes in Douglas County, where most CD2 voters live. The Democratic primary featured seven candidates: Powell, Cavanaugh, Crystal Rhoades, Kishla Askins, Melanie Williams, James Leuschen and Van Argyrakis. 

Brinker Harding, Denise Powell waste no time pivoting to general election in Nebraska CD2

"I want to start by thanking everyone who has made this campaign possible — over 100 volunteers, 13+ labor unions, hardworking Nebraskans who powered this campaign, and my family — especially my wife Kakie, who is the rock of our family," Cavanaugh said in a written statement. "Now that all of the votes have been counted, I’ve called Denise Powell and congratulated her. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this campaign."

Powell declared victory in the race Tuesday night when the Associated Press called the race in her favor.

“I’m incredibly honored to be the Democratic nominee in Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District," she said Wednesday. "Thank you to my family and friends, my team, and to every candidate who ran. It takes guts to step into the arena, and you have my respect for your willingness to show up and serve." 

In a press conference Thursday, she said she's excited for the opportunity to be the first woman to represent the district in Congress and to be the first Latina Democratic nominee for federal office in Nebraska. 

"This is a moment to rally and unify," Powell said. "I've talked to so many voters over the last year, and they're scared. They don't see help coming from Washington, D.C., and they need to know that there are people out there who are going to listen to them and who are going to show up and fight for them."

National GOP groups and Harding have already targeted Powell on social media and with an attack ad. Both invoke the "Dark Money Denise" line that Cavanaugh used to criticize the multimillion dollar outside support Powell received to blast ads throughout the district.  

Denise Powell declares victory in CD2 Democratic primary, will face Brinker Harding in November