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Can a Nebraska Senate seat be filled by an independent candidate?

Posted on by L. Dreeye
Can a Nebraska Senate seat be filled by an independent candidate?

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Of all the competitive U.S. Senate races this year, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., was expected to easily win reelection, where Trump won with roughly 58% of the vote in 2016 and 2020. But that was before Dan Osborne, a former union member. leader, decided to run for office as an independent.

In a state where Republican victories are almost always a given, Nebraska is now one of the top Senate races to watch in the Nov. 5 elections, as the outcome could determine which party controls the upper chamber of Congress.

A recent New York Times/Siena College poll shows Osborne trailing Fischer by just two percentage points, 46% to 48%, with 5% of likely voters in Nebraska either undecided or refusing to answer. Other political tracking organizations, including the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, have updated the competition to “lean” toward “solid” Republicans.

Osborne, a U.S. Navy and Nebraska Army National Guard veteran, withdrew his endorsement from the state Democratic Party. Running as an independent candidate, his platform weaves issues from both sides of the political aisle: He supports the Second Amendment, advocates for reproductive rights and wants to make it easier for unions to organize.

This race marks the Cornhusker native’s first time getting involved in politics, something he stresses is one of his greatest strengths.

“This story is as old as time; if you can divide, you can win. Right now, I feel like we’re pretty divided,” Osborne recently told a crowd gathered at his campaign office in Lincoln for an event highlighting his support from conservative Nebraskans.

“You can imagine the consequences if Nebraska chooses an independent candidate; the whole country will say: “Damn it.” Do you see what Nebraska did? This will tell people across the country that you don’t have to be a self-funded crypto billionaire to run for office.”

In an election with a historic political divide, Osborne has positioned himself as a candidate with no allegiances to either party, often voicing his frustration with partisan gridlock and inefficiency on Capitol Hill.

One question keeping both parties on edge is whether Osborne will caucus with the party in the Senate. When asked about this, Osborne points to former Senator George Norris of Nebraska, who was the state’s last independent representative in 1942. founded a unicameral state legislature.

“We pride ourselves on being different but also independent,” explained Elizabeth Theiss-Morse, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

From the middle

What was a relatively low-profile operation a few months ago, Fisher’s campaign is now out in full force to energize her Republican base, with millions in funding from national Republicans in her pocket and the support of former President Donald Trump.

The GOP is pouring millions into the race for the Republican seat in the upper chamber, including a recent $3 million contribution from a super political action PAC linked to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Her campaign’s cash injection has allowed it to launch a flurry of expensive television ads portraying Osborne as a Democrat in disguise.

“My opponent supports amnesty, welfare for illegal immigrants and said he loves Bernie Sanders — he’s just too left-wing for our state,” Fischer said in a statement to USA TODAY.

“Nebraskans support me because I have achieved results, from supporting border security and a strong national defense to funding roads, bridges and airports, and helping make life easier for working families through the Paid Family Medical Leave Act. , a conservative record that helped build Nebraska and keep America strong.”

Fisher has deep roots in Nebraska, having been a rancher in Valentine, a town located on the northern border of the state. She has held a number of public offices in the state, including seats in the Nebraska State Legislature and on the Valentine Rural High School Board of Education, and is now seeking a third term.

Osborne, on the other hand, is focused on attracting voters of all political parties but is currently targeting Fischer’s conservative base by highlighting his similarities to Trump.

“I tell people, whether I’m sitting in a room in Lincoln full of Democrats or in Hastings, Nebraska, in a room full of Republicans or mixed people, my message doesn’t change,” Osborne told USA TODAY. “It means Republicans are not the enemy, Democrats are not the enemy, corporations are the enemy.”

In addition to fighting tooth and nail to portray each other as insincere, the candidates’ focus on supporting unions is also at the forefront of this race.

Fisher has voiced her support from labor unions across the state, including several police and fire organizations and the Nebraska Farmers Union, which supports several Democrats running for national office.

John Hansen, president of the NFU, defended Fisher, explaining that she has consistently prioritized the needs of farmers and ranchers in the state since she served in the state Legislature and as a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee.

“Fisher is one of the few Republicans in Congress who is actually willing to go out and try to get bipartisan support to get her legislation passed and attached to the farm bill,” Hansen said. “We know each other well. We have a good, working personal relationship.”

Osborne has the support of several unions and labor organizations, including the Nebraska AFL-CIO, the United Auto and Communications Workers of America and the Nebraska Railroad Workers for Public Safety.

According to Mike Helmink, co-founder of the group, one of the main reasons for NRPS’ support for Osborne stems from the frustration they faced when they were unable to reach Fisher’s office during the state’s 2022 railroad labor fight. and treasurer.

“I think the race got a lot of attention because he is a serious threat,” Helmink said. “I don’t think the Republicans saw this coming at all. They wanted to hope that he died, but nothing happened except to get bigger. It’s a good candidate, a good message, and there are so many connections to so many people.”

Reuters contributed to this story.