Regional Industry & News

Reports: GOP super PACs pull back spending in Nebraska 2nd District race

Weeks before the midterm election Super PAC support reportedly redirected away from Brinker Harding

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - With less than a month to go before Election Day, Republican super PAC money appears to be moving away from Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District race.

Congressional news site Punchbowl News reported Monday that super PACs supporting Republican candidate Brinker Harding are pulling back on spending in the race to fill the seat currently held by Rep. Don Bacon. The five-term Republican announced last summer that he would not run for reelection, leaving the race open.

The Punchbowl News report indicates the Congressional Leadership Fund has pulled $1.1 million in TV ads from Omaha.

Harding is running against Democrat Denise Powell and Libertarian Eric Foreman. Most polling indicates Powell leads by three to five points.

When asked for comment, Harding’s campaign said in an email:

“This race was always going to be decided by hardworking Nebraskans not Washington insiders. I am honored to have historic support from Nebraskans, and we look forward to earning every vote between now and Election Day.”

Foreman shared a statement on X:

Re-routing funds

While some races are seeing funds withdrawn, others are getting a boost — particularly Senate races in Iowa, Texas, and Michigan, where voters will fill an open seat in November. The Cook Political Report considers those races a “toss up,” as well as Senate races in Kansas, Ohio, Maine, and Alaska.

In Iowa, candidates are campaigning to take over Sen. Joni Ernst’s seat. The Des Moines Register reported last week that Congresswoman Ashley Hinson’s campaign for Senate got a $20 million boost in super PAC funds.

The Senate race in Texas has drawn national attention as a very tight race, with USA Today reporting on Tuesday that President Trump was planning his third visit there in 30 days. On Tuesday, NPR reported that the Senate race in Texas had topped the state record, with Democratic state Rep. James Talarico and Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton each reporting super PAC funding in excess of $240 million.

Trump was in Nebraska on Monday, appearing at a GOP midterm rally in Grand Island. During his speech, he called incumbent candidates — Ricketts to the stage as he offered his endorsements.

Watch the NE-02 debate

First Alert 6 WOWT is partnering with the League of Women Voters and the Omaha Press Club to host and broadcast a live debate between candidates for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.

Watch it live at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. After it airs, you can watch it on-demand in the First Alert 6 mobile and TV apps or at FirstAlert6.com. It will also re-air on WOWT at noon Sunday, Oct 18.

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Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly referenced a funding source Brinker Harding. First Alert 6 regrets the error.

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