Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
39.5%
15%
9.5%
5%
NE-02 Democratic nominee?
$375.0K
MAY 19, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age45 years old (Oct 6, 1980)
GenderMale
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LocationNebraska
BackgroundAttorney
EducationCreighton Preparatory School (graduate)
Notable personal detailsJohn Joseph Cavanaugh Jr. is an American attorney and Democratic politician from Omaha, Nebraska. He has served in the Nebraska Legislature representing District 9 since January 2021. In 2025 he launched a campaign for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District in the 2026 election cycle. He attended Creighton Preparatory School, earned a BA from The Catholic University of America, and received a JD and a master’s degree in environmental policy from Vermont Law School.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govjohncavanaugh.orgen.wikipedia.orgupdate.legislature.ne.govapnews.comleg.ne.govholanebraska.orgnewsfromthestates.comwashingtonpost.comnebraskapublicmedia.orgrollcall.comlegis1.comwowt.comgovprofiles.comprospect.orgcio.nebraska.govsos.nebraska.govdocquery.fec.govnebraskaexaminer.comomahadailyrecord.com3newsnow.comcavanaughfornebraska.comweareprogressives.orgballotready.orgketv.comnews.legislature.ne.govkisselkohoutes.com1011now.comnorthplattepost.comncpssm.orgfastdemocracy.comksnblocal4.comjustfacts.votesmart.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgassets.apnews.comhistory.house.govbacon.house.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdemocrats.senate.govsenate.govclerk.house.govcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax relief for homeowners and first-time homebuyers while opposing broad corporate tax cuts that primarily benefit out-of-state corporations; has proposed tax-incentive accounts and a homestead exemption and has publicly criticized large corporate tax reductions as costly.
Healthcare
Supports protecting and expanding access to health coverage, restoring Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, lowering prescription drug costs, and defending reproductive and gender-affirming health care access. Advocates policies to ensure quality, affordable physical and mental health care for Nebraskans and to prevent government interference between patients and doctors.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports reproductive freedom and identifies as pro-choice, saying access to contraception is fundamental to health and pledging to restore reproductive freedom.
Climate & Energy
Supports protecting Nebraska’s public power system and encouraging renewable energy and alternatives to fossil fuels; has sponsored legislation to study climate change impacts and has advocated preparing the state’s energy mix for changing weather patterns. Seeks greater local oversight of transmission/pipeline eminent domain and has promoted research-based goals and policy suggestions to address climate risks.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports reasonable, common-sense measures to reduce gun violence, including universal background checks, and has proposed restricting weapons in the Nebraska State Capitol to improve public safety. Has challenged proposals expanding permitless/’constitutional carry’ and has argued for giving law enforcement tools to keep the Capitol safe.
Polls
NE-02 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.1M
$855.6K
$570.4K
$285.2K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.1M
$159.0K
$981.8K
$61.4K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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