State Sen. John Cavanaugh has not conceded the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary to Denise Powell — and may not do so until the final votes are tallied on Friday.
In a statement texted to The World-Herald on Wednesday night, Cavanaugh campaign manager Katie Bartizal pointed to the number of outstanding Democratic ballots in Douglas County.
"There are 5,032 more Douglas County Dem ballots that will be counted on Friday morning," Bartizal said. "We want to ensure every vote is counted."
Bartizal's comments came hours after the Associated Press projected Powell as the winner and Powell subsequently sent out a statement declaring victory. Decision Desk HQ, another outlet that issues race projections, called the race for Powell on Tuesday night.
GOP nominee Brinker Harding began attacking Powell on social media on Wednesday night, calling Powell "Dark Money Denise" — the same phrase used by the Cavanaugh campaign in the final weeks of the primary campaign.
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Other GOP groups, including the Republican National Committee, had begun criticizing Powell on Wednesday morning.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent out a statement saying that Harding, the Omaha City Council vice president, is "another empty suit that Donald Trump and MAGA extremists would control in Congress."
Results on Wednesday showed Powell, a PAC founder and former corporate executive, leading Cavanaugh by more than 1,000 votes with about 90% of votes tallied.
Powell had about 39% of the vote to Cavanaugh's 37%. In order for Cavanaugh to overtake Powell, he would need to outpace her by more than 20 percentage points among the final batch of ballots.
Cavanaugh has not led Powell by more than 4 percentage points at any point during the tabulation of votes dating back to polls closing at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Powell posted on social media Wednesday night that she found out she'd won the race while at her son's baseball game in Omaha. She's expected to hold a press conference Thursday to preview her general election campaign.
Denise Powell poised to win Nebraska Democratic primary for CD2
Photos: 2026 Nebraska primary watch parties
Supporters mingle during a primary election watch party for Denise Powell at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is running for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
A message supporting State Sen. John Cavanaugh is written on the mirror for the Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Jim Begley and Omaha City Council President Danny Begley check the first round of results at the State Sen. John Cavanaugh Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
People check their phones for the first round of results at the State Sen. John Cavanaugh Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Supporters mingle during a primary election watch party for Denise Powell at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is running for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
Supporters cheer on during a primary election watch party for Denise Powell at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is running for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District.
Denise Powell waves to supporters during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. At left is Powell's husband, Hobson Powell.
Denise Powell greets supporters during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh greets his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh talks to his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh enters his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Tim Conn, left, talks with State Sen. John Cavanaugh as Cavanaugh’s Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh talks to his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh talks to his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
State Sen. John Cavanaugh greets his supporters at his Nebraska primary watch party at Underwood Bar, 4918 Underwood Ave. in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Supporters gather around a laptop with election results for Nebraska's second congressional district during a primary election watch party for Denise Powell at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Hobson Powell cheers on as his wife, Denise Powell, takes the lead in the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district, during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
Supporters cheer on as Denise Powell speaks during a primary election watch party at UNO's Thompson Alumni Center in Omaha, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Powell is poised to win the Democratic primary for Nebraska's second congressional district.
