State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha officially launched his candidacy Wednesday to represent Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.

Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha will run in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, a seat held by Rep. Don Bacon.
“The people in (the 2nd District) are looking for a change in their leadership. They don’t support President Trump, and they would like to be represented by someone in congress who actually votes their values,” Cavanaugh, an attorney and a Democrat in his second term in the Legislature, said in a phone interview Tuesday.
Republican Rep. Don Bacon holds the seat and has said he will decide this summer if he will seek a sixth term in Congress.
Regardless of Bacon’s decision, the race for the seat will be a closely watched battleground. Bacon, 61, won his Republican primary soundly and the general election by a narrow margin in 2024. His district is colloquially deemed the “Blue Dot” because it has swung to Democratic candidates in presidential elections. Omaha Mayor-elect John Ewing, a Democrat, unseated three-term Republican incumbent Jean Stothert in a May election, and Cavanaugh said, “There’s a lot of energy and excitement about getting a congressional representative who represents the ‘Blue Dot.’”
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Those dynamics may make for a crowded primary. Denise Powell, founder of a political action committee that supports progressive women candidates for office, launched her campaign in May. She states that she “protected our public schools and the families they serve and helped stop extremists from passing abortion bans in the state,” on her campaign website.
Cavanaugh, 44, said he has championed economic policy that helps working families through a bill that removed a tax on diapers and by opposing tax legislation that would have used sales taxes to relieve property taxes, a move he called a tax shift to help landowners, including those who are wealthy or out of state. He also said he passed bills to improve access to mental health care and protect victims of domestic violence while also supporting reproductive health care.
Cavanaugh’s father, also named John Cavanaugh, served two terms in Congress, representing the 2nd Congressional District from 1977 to 1981.
The younger Cavanaugh got his start in public service working for Mayor Mike Fahey and then-U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson. Before his service in the Legislature, he spent seven years working as a Douglas County public defender.

U.S. Rep. Don Bacon speaks during a televised debate at Nebraska Public Media in Lincoln on Oct. 8, 2024. Bacon is choosing between retiring and running for a sixth term in Congress.
Bacon, who retired from the U.S. Air Force as a brigadier general, has gained prominence during the second Trump administration for his willingness to speak in opposition to some Republican policies. Bacon previously voted for the president’s budget bill while also expressing reservations about its effect on Medicaid. He voted late last month for the final version of the bill, stating in a press release, “By passing this bill, we will strengthen (SNAP and Medicaid) through an audit of the programs, removal of those who should not be receiving benefits and making sure that able-bodied adults without dependents are fulfilling work and volunteer requirements that are already in place for the program” while also touting the bill as preventing a tax increase.
The “big, beautiful bill” is forecast to add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade and cause almost 11 million Americans to become uninsured, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Bacon’s vote drew a protest in Omaha’s Memorial Park.
The National Republican Congressional Committee was quick to comment on Cavanaugh’s candidacy, with spokesman Zach Bannon saying in a written statement, “Out of touch Democrat John Cavanaugh has proven time and time again that he will prioritize his radical far left agenda ahead of Nebraskans. While Denise Powell and Cavanaugh are set for a race to the left, Don Bacon continues to deliver common sense results for Nebraskans.”
Cavanaugh said it’s a “disappointment when someone pays lip service to being independent and then toes to the party line when it comes to cutting Medicaid services and imperiling other essential services to give tax cuts to the wealthiest.”
He said he can “stand up a fight when a fight is necessary” and added he’s “been willing to work with the other side when that’s needed.”
“I’m running for Congress because the people of Nebraska deserve a representative in Congress who will stand up for working families, who will stand up for veterans and seniors, who will stand up to Donald Trump and his billionaire buddies,” Cavanaugh said in a campaign press release.
Early in the race, Powell has focused on Bacon’s record opposed to other candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Her campaign released a statement Wednesday saying Bacon’s votes don’t align with what he says and what Nebraskans need. She said in a statement: “Nebraskans deserve better than lip service from career politicians — we need action.”
World-Herald staff writer Erin Bamer contributed to this report.
Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2025

From left, Emily Carrisalez and Yoselin Ramirez perform at a dedication ceremony for Plaza de la Raza at 24th and N Street in Omaha on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Archbishop George Lucas places his hand on Archbishop designate Michael G. McGovern during the installation mass of McGovern at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

JJ Vazquez and Yoselin Ramirez perform with Mariachi Los Galleros at a dedication ceremony for Plaza de la Raza at 24th and N Street in Omaha on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Troy Bader, CEO of Dairy Queen, shares a moment with Ellie Petersen, 6, of Omaha, during the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Shopping Day at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Marilynn Martinez performs as part of Mariach Los Galleros at a dedication ceremony for Plaza de la Raza at 24th and N Street in Omaha on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Thomas Kluver kneels down to inspect a soybean field in Fairfield, Neb., on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Archbishop designate Michael G. McGovern presents his letter of appointment by Pope Francis during his installation mass at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Nebraska's Riley Silva (1) scores a run past Creighton's Connor Capece (2) during the fifth inning of a college baseball game at Hawks Field in Lincoln, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Creighton head coach Ed Servais embraces former player David Gerber after the Bluejays 8-7 win over Nebraska at Hawks Field in Lincoln, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Carly Portinen, wildlife rehabilitation director at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, releases a big brown bat at the RiverFront in Omaha, on Monday, May 5, 2025.

Dominic Gillen wheels his son Will in for a town hall hosted by some state senators to discuss medical cannabis at Carpenters Union Hall in Papillion on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Will, 23, suffers from multiple types of seizures daily due to a severe form of epilepsy. Will's parents, Shelley and Dominic, have been advocating for medical marijuana for 12 years, believing medical marijuana could help improve their son’s quality of life.

Shelley Gillen puts shoes on her son Will at their home in Bellevue on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Will, 23, suffers from multiple types of seizures daily due to a severe form of epilepsy. Will's parents, Shelley and Dominic, believe medical marijuana could help improve their son’s quality of life.

Nebraska's Harper Murray (27) spikes the ball past South Dakota State's Madison Burr (8) and Rylee Martin (5) during a spring game match in Ord, Neb., on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Nebraska head coach Dani Busboom Kelly reacts as a group of fans sing "Happy Birthday" after a spring game match in Ord, Neb., on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Michael DeGroff and his daughter Malone, 6, walk across I Street to queue for the Nebraska spring game match against South Dakota State in Ord, Neb., on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Evalina Sain, executive director of Omaha Students for Sustainability, stands for a portrait in Memorial Park in Omaha, on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Greg Abel shakes hands with shareholders during the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Shopping Day at the CHI Health Center on May 2. Next year when the shareholders meeting occurs, Abel will be the Berkshire CEO, replacing Warren Buffett.

Works in the See's Candies both stretch before the crowd is let in for the annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting at the CHI Health center in Omaha, on Saturday, May 3, 2025.

Omaha Marian's Evalyn Runco jumps over a hurdle hurdle first during her heat of the 300 meter hurdles during the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Omaha North's Ben Harris jumps a hurdle during the 300 meter hurdles during the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Bellevue West's Braylon Chism has a slight lead over Omaha North's Darion Jones in the 300 meter hurdles during the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Papillion-La Vista South's Breylee Botts finishing first in the 100 meter hurdles in the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Papillion-La Vista South's Breylee Botts finishes ahead of Bellevue West's Janiyah Willis in the 100 meter hurdles during the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Canada goslings exit the pond inside Hanscom Park in Omaha on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

A pair of Canada geese and their goslings swim at the pond inside Hanscom Park in Omaha on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Contstruction workers at the nearby new Mutual of Omaha tower watch as an Omaha fireffighter climbs down a ladder while at a fire call near 14th and Farnam Streets in Omaha on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Omaha fireffighters on a fire call near 14th and Farnam Streets in Omaha on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

Creighton head coach Ed Servais embraces his wife Anne after his final game at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Millard West's Kennedy Moore (20) boxes out /m5/ from the ball as Millard West's Addy Stephens (00) slides in for the save during the first half of a Nebraska Class A girls state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Lincoln East's Bella Bingham (25) and Scout Waite (24) embrace after falling to Bellevue West in a Nebraska Class A girls state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Monday, May 12, 2025.

New Omaha women's basketball head coach Jamie Carey speaks during her introductory press conference in Omaha, on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Todd Cejka casts his ballot at Walt Disney Elementary School in Omaha on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert concedes the election to democratic challenger John Ewing during an election night watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Omaha Westside's Sebastian Perez Rojas (20) attempts to score against Lincoln Southeast's Dylan McDuffee (1) during the first half of a Nebraska Class A boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Sofia Leach decorated her mortar board for Creighton University's commencement ceremony at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Lincoln East's Dele Odulate (5) slides home as Papillion-La Vista's Ryan Thompson (7) can't handle the throw during a Nebraska Class A quarterfinal boys state baseball tournament game, at Tal Anderson Field in Omaha on Friday, May 16, 2025.

Lexington's Pedro Prado-Cruz (18) tries to steal the ball from Elkhorn Mount Michael's Mesach Nkurubujango (6) during the second half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Bennington's Beau Pick (3) and Gretna East's Kamden Korth (1) collide while going for the ball during the first half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Bennington's Austin Kaiser (11) leaps over Gretna East's Dallas Andrews (8) during the first half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Bennington's Max Leight (9), left, and Beau Pick (3) celebrate Leight's goal during the first half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 15, 2025.

Schuyler's Obed Benazo (7) is lifted up by teammates after their win over Bennington for the NSAA Class B boys soccer championship at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Schuyler's Omar Genchi (19) hugs his sisters Laura Genchi, left, and Maria Genchi, right, after their win over Bennington for the NSAA Class B boys soccer championship at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Schuyler players celebrate with the trophy after their win over Bennington for the NSAA Class B boys soccer championship at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Crete's Lesli Kratochvil competes in the Class B girls long jump at the Nebraska state track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Carol Windrum holds up a sign at a Stand in Solidarity event at Plaza de la Raza in Omaha on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The event was organized by Omaha Together One Community and allies to bring attention to support for positive immigration solutions in Nebraska.

Attendees listen to speakers at a Stand in Solidarity event at Plaza de la Raza in Omaha on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The event was organized by Omaha Together One Community and allies to bring attention to support for positive immigration solutions in Nebraska.

From left, Mary Kay Meagher and Marylyn Felion walk past a mural after a Stand in Solidarity event at Plaza de la Raza in Omaha on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The event was organized by Omaha Together One Community and allies to bring attention to support for positive immigration solutions in Nebraska.