A Democrat candidate who suggested voters “read some fairy smut” as a way to cope with President Donald Trump’s 2024 election victory is running for Congress in Nebraska.
Denise Powell, who won the Democrat primary in Nebraska’s 2nd District in May, offered the advice in a video shared by Women Who Run Nebraska political action committee (PAC) on Instagram on Jan. 20, 2025, ahead of the start of Trump’s second term. Powell co-founded the organization in 2017, according to its website.
“Today, do a little something that brings you joy. Stop watching the news. Stop following social media. Eat a little comfort food. Go out with a friend. Watch some junk TV,” Powell said.
“Read some fairy smut — I’m super into that right now — but just remember that we’re in it for the long haul, and today is just the start of something that’s going to be one hell of a ride, but we’ve survived it before. We’ll do it again, and we’re just gonna keep showing up,” she continued.
Fairy smut is a book genre that is a cross between romance and fantasy, featuring mythical creatures such as fairies along with explicit sex scenes, according to The Spinoff. Well-known books within the genre include Sarah J. Maas’ A Court Of Thorns and Roses series and Rebecca Yarros’ Empyrean series. (RELATED: Transgender Democrat Activist Urges Followers To ‘Kill Your Local Republican’)
Powell survived a six-person primary, the Nebraska Examiner reported. She raised over $1.6 million between May 2025 and April 2026, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data. She will now run against Omaha City Council Member Brinker Harding, who launched a bid to succeed outgoing Republican Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, Roll Call reported. Harding has raised over $1.2 million between July 2025 and May 2026, according to FEC data.
Political ads targeting Powell have labeled her “Dark Money Denise” and have accused her of receiving campaign funds from dark money groups, WOWT reported in May. Powell told the outlet the ads’ allegations are false.
The Nebraska Democratic Party asked the Justice Department to open an investigation into Harding after he missed two deadlines to submit his financial disclosures, one of which was due in 2025, the Nebraska Examiner reported in late May. Congressional candidates who raise over $5,000 must submit a private disclosure form to the Clerk of the U.S. House within 15 days of launching their campaign or by May 15. Harding ultimately filed his disclosure over 10 months overdue on June 11, telling KET7 he “had nothing to hide.”
Powell co-founded Women Who Run Nebraska after attending the 2017 Women’s March in Washington, D.C. during Trump’s first presidential term, according to the PAC’s website.
The Daily Caller reached out to Powell’s campaign for comment.