The U.S. Senate race in Nebraska, typically a safe Republican seat, has taken an unexpected turn with independent candidate Dan Osborn’s competitive challenge to incumbent Senator Deb Fischer. While Nebraska overwhelmingly supported Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020, Osborn’s campaign has narrowed Fischer’s once-secure lead, with a recent poll showing her just two points ahead.
Osborn, a former union leader and military veteran, is running on a platform that appeals across party lines, advocating for the Second Amendment, reproductive rights, and union-friendly policies.
Osborn’s independence from party ties has fueled his campaign’s appeal, as he criticizes the divisive nature of partisan politics. Emphasizing Nebraska’s history of nonpartisan politics, he draws inspiration from former Senator George Norris, who also served as an independent.
Fischer, a seasoned politician from a ranching background, has ramped up her campaign efforts, bolstered by a major financial push from national Republicans and an endorsement from Trump. Her campaign portrays Osborn as too liberal for the state, attempting to tie him to Democratic policies, despite Osborn’s rejection of a Democratic endorsement.
The race has highlighted Nebraska’s labor issues, with both candidates vying for union support. Fischer has backing from various agricultural and public safety unions, while Osborn has earned endorsements from unions frustrated with Fischer’s perceived lack of responsiveness, especially during a 2022 railroad labor dispute.
This unexpected challenge by Osborn has made Nebraska’s Senate race one to watch, with potential implications for party control in Congress.