In the first quarter of 2026, Denise Powell raised more than $432,000
Omaha, NE – This morning, Punchbowl reported that Denise Powell raised more than $432,000 in the first quarter of 2026, making this the strongest fundraising quarter of the campaign since her launch last Spring, continuing the momentum she will use to win as we head into the home stretch.
This quarter builds on her previous fundraising success: Powell was the only candidate in the field – both Democrat and Republican – to raise more than $1 million last year, entered 2026 with a cash-on-hand advantage, and, in the first quarter of her campaign, broke fundraising records for the largest cash haul.
The stakes in this race couldn’t be higher, as Denise remains the only viable candidate who can protect Nebraska’s “Blue Dot.”
As we head into the final weeks of the primary, it is clear that support and momentum are behind Powell. Her campaign has amassed the broadest coalition of supporters, with more than 50 local and national endorsements, including former Democratic nominee Tony Vargas, NewDem Action Fund, EMILYs List, Elect Democratic Women, BOLD PAC, The Bench, Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Emily Randall (WA-06), Norma Torres (CA-35), and Annie Kuster (fmr. NH-02), and dozens of local elected officials and community leaders.
Powell continues to be the only candidate with the grassroots, political, and fundraising support to run a competitive race and flip this seat for Democrats in 2026.
“I am so proud of the broad coalition we’ve built together around this campaign that is committed to fighting for working families,” said Powell. “We are going to continue working hard to reach voters in every pocket of this district; voters who we know are frustrated by politicians more interested in their next career opportunity and grandstanding than achieving real results for Nebraska families.”
Since Powell entered the race last May, NE-02 has become an open seat, prompting three race rating changes that moved the district from Toss Up to Leans/Tilts Democrat status from Cook Political Report, Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Inside Elections.
About Denise
Denise Powell is a mom, former executive, small business owner, public school champion and healthcare advocate who knows that a strong work ethic and a love of family and community is the Nebraska way of life. She also knows the Good Life is getting harder to come by. It’s why after Trump’s election she left a successful career in corporate America to focus on fighting for what makes Nebraska such a special place to live and raise a family. Over the past decade, she has supported hundreds of Nebraskans running for local office, protected our public schools and the families they serve, and helped stop extremists from passing abortion bans in the state.
Every day, we see more of our friends and neighbors struggling to make ends meet while Donald Trump and MAGA extremists are focused on trade wars that are increasing our cost of living and passing massive tax breaks for billionaires like Elon Musk. Strong families, strong businesses, strong communities – they ALL require work and investment, but everything we’ve fought for here at home is under threat. From dismantling Medicaid and making it harder for seniors to get the benefits they’ve earned, to dismantling education, from the University of Nebraska to our public schools, to attacking our veterans and ripping away women’s rights — Denise is running to fight for the people of Nebraska. We don’t need lip service from politicians, we need action.
For more information, visit deniseforcongress.org. For a high-resolution picture of Denise, click here.
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