The Nebraska Senate race has turned into a close contest as Independent Dan Osborn gains on Republican Sen. Deb Fischer, raising concerns for the GOP. Osborn, who has never held public office before, has surged in recent polls, catching Fischer and her campaign off guard.
Osborn, a Navy veteran and union leader, has been running a populist campaign that focuses on issues important to Nebraska’s working-class families and small businesses. His message has resonated with voters frustrated by establishment politics. In a New York Times/Siena College poll, Osborn held an 11-point lead over Fischer, a surprising result in a state that traditionally votes Republican.
Fischer, who has represented Nebraska in the Senate since 2013, is facing one of her toughest re-election campaigns yet. Despite endorsements from President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders, Fischer has struggled to fend off Osborn’s attacks on her Washington ties. Fischer’s campaign has argued that Osborn is not truly independent, pointing to the significant financial support he has received from Democratic donors.
With no Democrat on the ballot, the race has become a two-way fight between Fischer and Osborn, drawing increased attention from both sides of the political spectrum. Republicans are working to shore up support for Fischer in a race that could serve as a bellwether for other Senate contests across the country.
