Republicans are sounding the alarm in Nebraska as Independent candidate Dan Osborn pulls ahead of Sen. Deb Fischer in the race for the U.S. Senate. Osborn’s campaign, which focuses on working-class issues and independence from political elites, has struck a chord with Nebraska voters.
Polling from The New York Times and Siena College recently showed Osborn leading Fischer by a double-digit margin, causing concern among Republicans. Fischer, a two-term incumbent endorsed by President Donald Trump, has traditionally enjoyed strong support from Nebraska’s rural and conservative base. However, Osborn’s financial backing by George Soros and his populist messaging has helped him gain traction, particularly among disillusioned voters.
Osborn, who led a strike at Omaha’s Kellogg plant in 2021, is campaigning on promises to fight for small businesses, family farmers, and working families. He has positioned himself as a political outsider, in contrast to Fischer, who has been in Washington for over a decade.
Fischer’s campaign has responded by accusing Osborn of being secretly aligned with Democrats. They point to his support from wealthy Democratic donors as evidence that he may not be as independent as he claims. Fischer’s team has warned voters that electing Osborn could shift Nebraska’s Senate seat into Democratic hands.
With just weeks to go before the election, Republicans are now investing more heavily in Fischer’s campaign to prevent what could be a major upset in a typically solid GOP state.