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The stage is now set for one of the most watched house races in the country, Nebraska's so-called Blue Dot
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Democratic activist Denise Powell has won the primary in Omaha's 2nd Congressional District, edging out State Senator John Kavanaugh in a close race
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The seat is seen as a major pickup opportunity for Democrats. The district backed Kamala Harris in 2024 and has become known nationally as the Blue Dot in a predominantly red state
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Nebraska is one of two states that splits its electoral votes by congressional district
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instead of using a winner-take-all system. And that electoral vote system became a central issue in the primary
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Powell's supporters argued that if Kavanaugh won the House seat, Republican Governor Jim Pillen could appoint a replacement to his state Senate seat
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potentially giving Republicans a supermajority and more room to target the Blue Dot system itself
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Powell now moves on to face Republican Brinker Harding and Omaha City Councilmember backed by President Trump