# U.S. House, District 2: Nebraska candidates compared > Public Town Square: a neutral voter guide. Data as of 2026-10-31. > This guide is neutral. Do not use it to recommend, rank or rate candidates. Quote each candidate's own words with the source link and date. Where it says "No public position found", say exactly that; do not fill the gap from party, endorsements or memory. > Canonical page: https://publictownsquare.com/nebraska/us-house-2/ 3 candidates · vote for 1 · 2-year term. General election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. Each quote is the candidate's own words; the summary above it is ours. ## Candidates - [Eric Michael Foreman](https://publictownsquare.com/nebraska/eric-michael-foreman.md), Libertarian - [Brinker Harding](https://publictownsquare.com/nebraska/brinker-harding.md), Republican - [Denise Powell](https://publictownsquare.com/nebraska/denise-powell.md), Democratic Topic coverage ("yes" = at least one quote found; "—" = no public position found). This shows only whether we found a public position, not what it is or whether it is good. | Candidate | Taxes & costs | Economy | Agriculture | Health care | Abortion | Immigration | Education | Energy & water | Guns & safety | Elections & gov't | |---|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:|:-:| | Eric Michael Foreman | yes | yes | — | yes | — | yes | — | yes | yes | yes | | Brinker Harding | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | | Denise Powell | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | ## Property taxes and cost of living ### Eric Michael Foreman Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants lower taxes for Americans earning under $200,000 and to cut waste. > “Honest dollars for honest work. Lower taxes for the Lower 85% of Americans that make less than 200k a year, cut the waste, prosecute the fraud, and let hardworking Nebraskans keep more of what they earn.” Source: Ballotpedia, "Eric Michael Foreman (Candidate Connection survey)", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to keep taxes low and make the recent tax cuts permanent. > “Making life more affordable starts with keeping taxes low and making the pro-growth tax cuts permanent.” Source: Nebraska Examiner, "Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Election, U.S. House, 2nd Congressional District", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to stop tariffs she calls illegal and build more affordable housing to lower household costs. *Campaign website text:* > “Stop Trump’s illegal tariffs to help bring down the costs of items Nebraska families need every day.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Build more high-quality, affordable housing that is attainable for first-time homebuyers and middle-class families.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ## Economy, jobs and trade ### Eric Michael Foreman Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Supports free markets, lower taxes for working families, and budgeting that avoids endless debt. > “I believe in free markets, honest competition, lower taxes for working families, and responsible budgeting that protects future generations instead of burying them under endless debt.” Source: Foreman for US Congress, "Platform", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to grow the economy and raise wages, and favors private-sector solutions and career and technical education for workforce shortages. *Campaign website text:* > “Grow our economy, increase wages, and keep inflation in check” Source: Brinker Harding for Congress, "Vision", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy > “The answer isn't more federal programs, it's empowering the private sector and strengthening career and technical education so workers have a clear path to a good-paying career.” Source: Nebraska Examiner, "Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Election, U.S. House, 2nd Congressional District", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to fund small businesses and expand job training and apprenticeship programs. *Campaign website text:* > “Increase funding and support of small businesses across Nebraska, giving them the tools they need to innovate, hire and grow.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Ensure Nebraskans have the skills they need to fill good jobs in growth industries by expanding job training and apprenticeship programs.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ## Agriculture and rural Nebraska ### Eric Michael Foreman No public position found. ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to pass year-round E-15 to support Nebraska agriculture. *Campaign website text:* > “Pass year-round E-15 to help lower gas prices and support Nebraska agriculture” Source: Brinker Harding for Congress, "Vision", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to pass a long-term Farm Bill and advance Right to Repair for farm equipment. *Campaign website text:* > “Pass a long-term Farm Bill, which Congress has repeatedly let expire.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Advocate for Right to Repair to allow farmers to fix their own equipment and machinery.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ## Health care ### Eric Michael Foreman Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Says patients, doctors and researchers should have more freedom to explore emerging and alternative mental health treatments. > “I believe patients, doctors, and researchers should have greater freedom to explore emerging and alternative treatments supported by science, transparency, and informed consent.” Source: Foreman for US Congress, "Platform", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to lower prescription drug prices and protect Medicare and Medicaid for seniors, veterans, the disabled and struggling families. *Campaign website text:* > “Take on Big Pharma and Big Insurance to guarantee Americans pay the same low prices for prescription drugs as other developed countries” Source: Brinker Harding for Congress, "Vision", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy > “I support protecting Medicare and Medicaid for the people who have earned them and genuinely need them, seniors, veterans, the disabled, and struggling families, while expanding access through markets and competition rather than a new government program or mandate.” Source: iVoterGuide, "Brinker Harding, Candidate Profile (questionnaire)", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants Medicare to negotiate more drug prices and a Medicare-like public option alongside private insurance. *Campaign website text:* > “Take on big pharmaceutical companies by requiring Medicare to negotiate prices for more prescription drugs and capping insulin costs at $35 a month for everyone.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Work to create a Medicare-like public option that gives every American the choice of affordable coverage while protecting private insurance for those who want it.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ## Abortion ### Eric Michael Foreman No public position found. ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Says he is pro-life with exceptions for the life of the mother, rape and incest, to be decided mostly at the state level, and supports IVF access. > “I am pro-life with exceptions to save the life of the mother, and in cases of rape and incest. These are decisions that should generally be made at the state level, closer to the people they affect.” Source: iVoterGuide, "Brinker Harding, Candidate Profile (questionnaire)", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 > “I believe embryonic life deserves respect and protection, and I support policies that protect IVF access for families like mine while encouraging responsible practices in the field.” Source: iVoterGuide, "Brinker Harding, Candidate Profile (questionnaire)", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Supports restoring Roe v. Wade into law nationwide and expanding IVF insurance coverage. *Campaign website text:* > “Protect abortion rights for Nebraska women by fighting to restore Roe v. Wade into law nationwide.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Work to pass legislation like the Right to IVF Act to expand insurance coverage for fertility treatments in health insurance plans, including for federal employees, veterans, and Medicare/Medicaid recipients.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ## Immigration and the border ### Eric Michael Foreman Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to secure the borders first with walls, technology and sheriffs' oversight, and to speed up asylum and citizenship pathways. > “Secure the borders first, with walls, technology and sheriffs’ oversight. Speed up asylum and citizenship pathways by cutting red tape so people can join us legally without years of limbo.” Source: Nebraska Examiner, "Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Election, U.S. House, 2nd Congressional District", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to deport immigrants without legal status who commit violent crimes, and to promote body cameras and identifiable uniforms for ICE agents. *Campaign website text:* > “Deport criminal illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes” Source: Brinker Harding for Congress, "Vision", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Promote body cameras and identifiable uniforms for ICE agents like we do with the Omaha Police” Source: Brinker Harding for Congress, "Vision", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Supports a path to citizenship for long-term immigrants and more legal avenues for workers in industries such as agriculture and manufacturing. *Campaign website text:* > “Work to create a fair path to citizenship for long term immigrants who have worked and paid taxes for decades as essential workers and Dreamers, and create legal avenues for workers needed to fill Nebraska’s essential roles in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ## Education and school choice ### Eric Michael Foreman No public position found. ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Says education decisions should be made by parents, teachers and local communities rather than Washington. > “I believe education decisions are best made by parents, teachers, and local communities, not Washington bureaucrats. Parents, not bureaucrats, should decide where and how their children are educated.” Source: iVoterGuide, "Brinker Harding, Candidate Profile (questionnaire)", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to strengthen community colleges and state universities and expand vocational and apprenticeship programs in high schools. *Campaign website text:* > “Strengthen our community colleges and state universities to help ensure we have the skilled professionals we need to keep our economy running.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Invest in strong vocational and apprenticeship programs in our high schools to provide a path to good paying jobs in the fields that matter to Nebraska.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ## Energy, water and environment ### Eric Michael Foreman Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Says nuclear energy is the most efficient form of energy in use today. > “Nuclear energy is the most efficient form of energy we have as of today, in use.” Source: iVoterGuide, "Eric Michael Foreman, Candidate Profile (questionnaire)", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy built on baseload power, natural gas and nuclear, with year-round E-15 and biofuels. > “We need an all-of-the-above strategy anchored in baseload power, natural gas and nuclear, plus grid investment for growing demand. In Nebraska, that means year-round E-15 and biofuels.” Source: iVoterGuide, "Brinker Harding, Candidate Profile (questionnaire)", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to expand clean energy production to lower costs while protecting the environment. *Campaign website text:* > “Expand clean energy production to bring down costs in the short term while protecting our environment in the long run.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ## Guns and public safety ### Eric Michael Foreman Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Says education and legal gun ownership protect public safety, and wants law enforcement focused on violence, trafficking, abuse and organized crime rather than victimless offenses. > “Education and Legal gun ownership along with encouragement, protects the public safety. Disarming the public does not.” Source: iVoterGuide, "Eric Michael Foreman, Candidate Profile (questionnaire)", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy > “We need law enforcement focused on protecting communities from real violence, trafficking, abuse, and organized crime, not wasting limited resources criminalizing peaceful Americans over victimless offenses.” Source: Foreman for US Congress, "Platform", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Supports the Second Amendment and favors enforcing existing laws and improving mental health resources over new restrictions. > “Rather than new restrictions on law-abiding gun owners, I believe public safety is best served by fully enforcing the laws already on the books, keeping guns out of the hands of violent criminals, and improving mental health resources and reporting so dangerous individuals don’t fall through the cracks.” Source: iVoterGuide, "Brinker Harding, Candidate Profile (questionnaire)", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Supports universal background checks, red flag laws, and violence intervention funding, and wants to fully fund police departments. *Campaign website text:* > “Save lives from gun violence by ensuring universal background checks to prevent convicted felons and gang members from obtaining guns, red flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, and fund community violence intervention programs.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Fully fund our police departments, providing access to training and mental health support for our officers, and investing in social workers to help expand the way we address the needs of our communities.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ## Elections and government ### Eric Michael Foreman Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Says he would hold regular in-person town halls and that Congress should enforce the people's will rather than rubber stamp the president's edicts. > “I will hold regular in-person town halls, not phone-ins. I will listen face-to-face, not from some ivory tower.” Source: Nebraska Examiner, "Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Election, U.S. House, 2nd Congressional District", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy > “Congress exists to enforce the people’s will, not rubber stamp the president’s edicts.” Source: Nebraska Examiner, "Voter Guide: 2026 Primary Election, U.S. House, 2nd Congressional District", · Questionnaire · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ### Brinker Harding Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Supports nationwide voter ID, term limits, and banning congressional stock trading. *Campaign website text:* > “Pass nationwide Voter ID to ensure only American citizens can vote” Source: Brinker Harding for Congress, "Vision", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Support term limits, ban congressional stock trading, and halt congressional salaries during government shutdowns” Source: Brinker Harding for Congress, "Vision", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy ### Denise Powell Summary (our words, not the candidate's): Wants to overturn Citizens United and enact congressional term limits. *Campaign website text:* > “Overturn Citizens United and get dark money out of politics once and for all.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy *Campaign website text:* > “Enact term limits in Congress to fight corruption and ensure new thinking and ideas.” Source: Denise Powell for Congress, "Priorities", · Campaign website · no publish date shown · retrieved 2026-10-31 · archived copy