Nebraska: Independent Dan Osborn for U.S. Senate!

Nebraska Democrats used to dominate U.S. Senate races. Jim Exon served between 1978 to 1994. Ed Zorinsky was elected in 1976 and 1982. Bob Kerrey won senate races in 1988 and 1994. Ben Nelson succeeded Kerrey and served in the U.S. Senate between 2000 to 2012. Nelson won the last state wide election for Democrats when he defeated Pete Ricketts 64% to 36% in 2006.

Since the end of the period of Democratic domination, Nebraska has been poorly served in the Senate by the likes of Mike Johanns, Ben Sasse Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer. They are all loyal GOP party soldiers who accomplished nothing and voted against the best interests of Nebraska on numerous occasions.

Independent Dan Osborn is trying to break that GOP grip on power by running against Do Nothing Deb Fischer. Dan is an Omaha native, a Navy veteran and a union leader. While he was an employee at the Kellog’s plant in Omaha, Osborn led a successful strike in 2021 that defeated a push to cut employee benefits and guaranteed that the plant remain open until the end of 2026.

Osborn is running as an independent and has refused any endorsements from any political parties or elected politicians. The Nebraska Democratic Party hasn’t put up a candidate, which clears the field for him to oppose Fischer. This is an interesting strategy that might work since a majority of Nebraska voters are Democrats and independents. Unfortunately, the Democratic brand is toxic in the rural areas due to years of being unfairly demonized by the Republican media.

Osborne is not your average Senate candidate because he has a blue collar background and would be the poorest member of the Senate’s millionaires club if he was elected. “He’s almost gloriously unpolished and often sounds as if the idea to run for office occurred to him just that morning over coffee, and his policy positions are probably ideal for Nebraska: conservative on the border and the Second Amendment, liberal on abortion and organized labor.” (Slate.com, September 3, 2024.)

More specifically, Dan Osborn supports the constitutional amendment on the Nebraska ballot that will codify a woman’s right to choose until the twenty third or twenty fourth week of pregnancy. Osborn also supports legalized marijuana and aid to Ukraine. He does oppose student loan forgiveness.

Recent polling has found that the race is surprisingly competitive. A recent poll from the non-partisan Split Ticket/Survey USA company indicates that Fischer only holds a slender lead of 39% to 38% over Osborn. An August You Gov poll made a similar finding showing Fischer with a lead of only 43% to 41%. These are remarkable findings since your average Republican typically wins a statewide race over Democratic opponents by a 20 point margin.

“At some point, those of us who observe Nebraska politics are going to have to take seriously that this actually is a tight race,” said Kevin Smith, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “I’m coming around to the view that maybe the race is on for that Senate seat, which is a little shocking, given that, in statewide races, Republicans have dominated for years and years.”

In a sign of desperation, Fischer has dodged all debates with Osborn. In response, the independent U.S. Senate hopeful actually debated an empty chair. Fischer doesn’t want to explain her blind support for Don Old Trump and his failed policies. Trump’s trade war cost Nebraska farmers $2 billion and in 2020, 40% of all farm income came from federal payments.

Because the race will remain tight, I expect the Republicans to soon begin lying about Osborn’s service in the U.S. Navy. The Republicans have a nasty habit of attacking veterans when they become desperate. In 2014, Ben Sasse — who never served — attacked Shane Osborn’s military service during the GOP primary.

I contributed to Osborn’s campaign and plan to vote for him. I would urge you to do the same. The Nebraska race could very well decide control of the U.S. Senate. Control of the Senate could decide whether any of Harris’ nominees are even confirmed.

There are other Nebraska Congressional races that may determine control of the Senate and the House.

Preston Love is running against Pete Ricketts for the U.S. Senate. Preston is a great guy and I plan to vote for him.

Carol Blood is running against incumbent Republican Mike Flood in CD01. Flood is an extremist who supported a personhood law like the Alabama law when he was in the Nebraska legislature.

Tony Vargas is taking on incumbent Republican Don Bacon in CD02. Bacon is a phony moderate who voted with Trump 98% of the time in 2017–18.

Daniel Ebers is running against incumbent Republican Adrian Smith in CD03. Smith is an election denier who voted with the traitors who attacked the Capitol on January 6.

A vote for the Nebraska Democrats and Osborn is a vote to end the toxic Trump era. Let’s end the antics, the hate and the gross incompetence of Dementia Don Old Trump. The Nebraska Republicans would enable Trump and his failed policies. We can do better. Now let’s get it done!