Democrat Cindy Burbank, who announced her intention to withdraw from November's U.S. Senate race in Nebraska to support an independent candidate, has secured victory in the state's Democratic primary.
Primary Win and Strategic Withdrawal
Burbank defeated William Forbes, a candidate Democrats alleged was a Republican plant. Forbes, a pastor who voted for Donald Trump and opposes abortion access, is currently registered as a Democrat. Burbank had previously stated that if she won the primary, she would step aside to allow independent Dan Osborn a clear path in the general election.
The Nebraska Democratic Party endorsed Burbank for the primary but has thrown its support behind Osborn for the general election. Osborn is considered the strongest candidate to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Pete Ricketts in November. Burbank aims to create a direct contest between Osborn and Ricketts.
Second Congressional District Race
In Nebraska's second congressional district, known as the "blue dot" encompassing Omaha and its suburbs, state Senator John Cavanaugh is locked in a tight race with Denise Powell. The outcome remained too close to call late Tuesday night. This district is a key target for Democrats seeking to regain control of the U.S. House, and the Cook Political Report rates it as leaning Democratic.
Republican Representative Don Bacon announced last year that he would not seek re-election, boosting Democratic chances in this politically mixed area of the predominantly right-leaning Plains state.
Electoral College Implications
Most U.S. states use a winner-take-all method for awarding electoral college votes, but Nebraska allocates one electoral vote per congressional district. Democrats have won the electoral vote in the second district in three of the last five elections, including for Kamala Harris in 2024. Republicans have attempted to change Nebraska to a winner-take-all system, most recently in 2025, falling short by two votes.
If Cavanaugh wins the general election, Republican Governor Jim Pillen would appoint his replacement through 2028, potentially giving Republicans the numbers to overturn the "blue dot." However, it remains uncertain whether Republicans will pursue this change, as they have also benefited from the current system in some years.
