Independent Osborn seeks surprise of cycle in Nebraska Senate race

Dan Osborn is running a long-shot independent bid to oust Sen. Deb Fischer (R) in the reliably red state. Democrats are sitting out the race, and Republicans have sought to paint Osborn as a Democrat in independent’s clothing, though he has distanced himself from both parties.

A recent poll from SurveyUSA/Split Ticket showed Fischer running neck and neck with Osborn, raising eyebrows among political observers and leading some to wonder just how competitive the race might turn out to be.

Osborn, a blue-collar union worker and political newcomer, courted Democrats for their backing, according to the party, but he announced this spring that he wouldn’t accept party endorsements. He’s notably backed by United Auto Workers and other labor organizations.

Osborn’s campaign said it turned in at least 12,000 signatures in August to get his nonpartisan campaign on the ballot, touting the numbers as a sign of enthusiasm for an alternative. The Navy veteran says he’s running to “break the two-party doom loop we’ve all been trapped in,” and he’s not planning to caucus with either party if elected.

Political observers are skeptical that Fischer, who has kept a low profile in the Senate, has done anything that would lead to an independent defeating her.

An Osborn-sponsored YouGov survey released last month shows Fischer at 43 percent and Osborn at 41 percent, and a July poll from Red Wave Strategy Group/Impact Research puts the pair at 42 percent each.