Denise Powell
In the 2026 Jewish Federation of Omaha voter guide, Powell wrote she is “dedicated to protecting the U.S.-Israel relationship”, that “the first steps must be to ensure that humanitarian aid can flow into Gaza and that the ceasefire holds”, and backed a two-state solution. She disavowed Israel-focused outside groups.
Powell is the Democratic nominee in Nebraska’s 2nd District, an open swing seat.
Her written answers in the Jewish Federation of Omaha JCRC 2026 voter guide, verified against the published questionnaire, carry her positions. On Israel’s right to exist: "I strongly support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. As the homeland and a refuge for the Jewish people, Israel’s existence should not be questioned." She calls Israel "a key ally to the United States" and "a key partner for spreading democracy and protecting U.S. security interests". On the war: "The first steps must be to ensure that humanitarian aid can flow into Gaza and that the ceasefire holds", followed by U.S. pressure toward "a two-state solution that allows peace and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people".
On lobbying, the sequence matters. At a January 2026 candidate forum she pledged to refuse funding from any special-interest groups, a general pledge that named no organization, per Jewish Insider. When pro-Israel PACs later entered the race anyway, The American Prospect reported that Democratic Majority for Israel canceled its Second District spending after realizing she "had disavowed support from all Israel-focused outside groups", and that other PACs kept spending without her consent. No tracked committee support appears on this card.
In the guide she defines antisemitism as "prejudice or hatred toward Jewish people", distinguishing it from legitimate policy criticism. Her criticism of the 2026 U.S. war in Iran sits on the research page.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- [Position, 2026-04] The JCRC 2026 voter guide (landing page), verified in the published PDF: the protecting-the-relationship answer quoted on the card. She states no position on arms conditions in the guide; nothing located elsewhere.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- [Position, 2026-04] The guide, verified: humanitarian aid flowing into Gaza and the ceasefire holding as first steps, quoted on the card.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Position, 2026-04] The guide, verified: right-to-exist and two-state answers, quoted in the deep dive.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [Pledge, 2026-01-23] The Nebraska Young Democrats forum, verified: Jewish Insider reports she said she would not accept funding from any special-interest groups. A general pledge naming no organization; carried as such.
- [Reported, 2026-05-06] The American Prospect, verified: DMFI canceled its spending after her disavowal of Israel-focused outside groups; successor PACs spent independently of her campaign.
- [Iran, 2026-03] Nebraska Public Media’s Iran-war survey, verified: "our sons and daughters should not die in another Middle East war." Iran material, research page only.
Safety and antisemitism
- [Position, 2026-04] The guide, verified: her definition and her line that political speech "is not about the race, gender, faith, ethnicity, or identity of a person or group of people".
Race and status context
- Democratic nominee against Republican Brinker Harding, whose card carries its own record.
Also in this race: Brinker Harding (Republican) · All Nebraska candidates.
See the full record →But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open the interactive card for votes, funding and contact details.