It’s been 18 years since Democrats won a Senate race in Nebraska. Instead of jumping to another party line, Dan Osborn is trying something else.
The union leader and steamfitter is running for Senate as an independent, with the tacit support of Democrats, who have refused to field a challenger against the senator. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). He’s the third independent candidate in as many cycles to try to consolidate anti-Republican coalitions in deep red states, and he certainly has some creative ideas about how to stay away from the Democratic Party — even if he wins.
“I would like to create an independent political caucus,” Osborn said in an interview this week, drinking a beer between fundraisers during a swing in D.C. “I know that sounds crazy.”
It’s certainly a long shot for the 49-year-old Osborn, who follows several other buzzy, if unsuccessful, independent bids in red states in recent election cycles. Al Gross raised almost US$20 million in Alaska and gave Sen a scare. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) in 2020 and in 2022, Evan McMullin took his independent case to the senator. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
Both gained more traction than a traditional Democratic candidate, but still lost by healthy margins. This is partly linked to the inherent skepticism in both states regarding their real independence from the Democratic Party.
Osborn’s populist positions make his candidacy unique. But his challenge is similar to that of independents of the past.
Fischer “is going to portray me as a Democrat in sheep’s clothing, because that’s what I would do if I were her. I’ll probably be called a communist because I’m pro-labor,” Osborn said. Voters, he insisted, “will realize and understand that this is not who I am.”
Although he has already raised more than $600,000, he estimates he will need about $5 million to be competitive. He is putting his full-time steamfitting job on hold to enter the race full-time, although there are obstacles ahead.
“In a state that has no tradition of independent candidacy, it is very difficult,” said the senator. King Angus (I-Maine). “The hardest thing for an independent is to convince voters. A: That you are serious. EB: That you have a chance.”
King had a head start before his first Senate campaign in 2012, having already served as governor for eight years. Additionally, Maine had an independent governor in the 1970s, which helped King’s rise because “it made it possible for [voters] could vote for an independent again,” he said.
The political culture is a little different in Nebraska, which hasn’t seen an independent senator since 1936, when George Norris won his last term as an independent with some Democratic support. Politics changed a lot in the 88 years that followed.
“Dan will fight for strength,” said the senator. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.).
Fischer is close to Republican Party leaders, doesn’t make gaffes and is a solid fundraiser. Unlike former Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Fischer did little to raise intraparty ire in the Cornhusker State.
And although he has been an independent since 2016, Osborn’s pro-labor and pro-abortion stances are more closely aligned with Democrats than Republicans. In the interview, he said he supports ending the legislative filibuster, would “probably not” vote for a full impeachment trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and supports expanding background checks on firearm sales. .
Still, he opposes the assault weapons ban, wants to “close” the border until bipartisan legislation is passed, and says he would have opposed the 2021 infrastructure law — a bipartisan bill supported by Fischer — because it increases the debt. of former President Donald Trump, he was a “great” senator and regrets that the centrist group No Labels was unable to launch a presidential campaign.
Overall, Osborn is joining forces with Nebraska and national Democrats in the most basic way: a shared goal of unseating a Republican. He said Democrats in his state are “supportive” and has also had some contact with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, though without a formal endorsement.
Both Ricketts and Fischer will share the vote in November, possibly along with referendums on marijuana and abortion. This complicated electoral dynamic, at least in Osborn’s opinion, could help break down partisan votes in November.
Fischer is racking up his own labor endorsements as he runs for re-election, though Republicans don’t appear concerned about Osborn at this point. In a statement, Fischer described Osborn as “totally out of step with Nebraskans.”
“He supports unlimited abortion, wants to legalize drugs and, in his own words, said he has no idea what farmers or ranchers do. And he wants to represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate – really?” she said.
Osborn responded, “There is no one like me in Washington who understands how farmers and workers are getting a raw deal from our country club in the U.S. Senate.”
The division of candidates is increasingly difficult and Osborn will need a large percentage of support from Trump voters, as well as virtually all Democrats and centrists in the state. He said he might vote for an independent president — but doesn’t know RFK Jr. well enough to comment on his candidacy.
He indicated that his presidential preference would be a last-minute decision: “I probably won’t know who I’m going to vote for until I go to the polls.”
This story originally appeared on Politico.com read the full story
