OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Dark money and connections to Jeffrey Epstein have become central themes in the closing days of the campaign for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional district — one of the closest-watched races for control of the U.S. House.
Republican Brinker Harding continues tying Democrat Denise Powell to both — and did so during the First Alert 6 debate last week. Powell says she wants dark money out of politics and points to President Trump’s name in the Epstein files and his endorsement of Harding.
First Alert 6 has been looking into claims made during the Oct. 15 debate between the three candidates for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District.
Tying Powell to dark money is central to Harding’s closing message. He pivoted to it after candidates were asked about Rep. Don Bacon’s record during the First Alert 6 debate.
“You had over five-and-a-half million dollars of coastal billionaire’s money and dark money... to buy this seat for you, or the nomination for you in the primary,” Harding said.
According to FEC records Harding’s campaign provided, which First Alert 6 independently reviewed, the recordsshow millions of dollarsin outside primary spending, mostly for Powell and against John Cavanaugh.
“One of the things I think would be incredibly helpful is to get dark money out of politics, to overturn Citizens United,” Powell responded during the debate.
Also during the debate, Harding brought up Jeffrey Epstein, making this claim about Powell’s campaign: “Reid Hoffman, one of your top supporters, Epstein Island visitor.”
The Harding campaign citesNew York Postreporting on Hoffman’s ties to Epstein. When First Alert 6 followed up, the campaign provided records showing a$3,500 donationto Powell last year.
Hoffman was not the only mention regarding the funding of Powell’s campaign by Harding.
“You’ve received money and been a consultant for a foreign billionaire,” Harding said.
Harding is referring to Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss. Attorney General Mike Hilgerssued Wyss and six nonprofitsover money he says was funneled to ballot groups. Per Powell’sHouse disclosure, citedin Harding’s memo, Harding says she consulted for two funds in that chain.
Those funds and her groups were not sued.
In a statement Wednesday, Powell’s campaign manager, Ryan Longenecker, said:
“Denise had nothing to do with fundraising for any of these entities — with her work being in organizing and communications. Powell would have had absolutely no role in or knowledge of sources of funding for massive groups several layers removed from the entities she worked for.”
