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I Independent · U.S. Senate, Nebraska · Nov 3, 2026

Dan
Osborn

Independent union steamfitter Dan Osborn challenges Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts for Nebraska's U.S. Senate seat in 2026

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
30
positions
11
endorsements
14
osbornforsenate.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Bluesky(opens in a new tab)YouTube(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)Instagram(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Pete Ricketts R+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Dan Osborn is an independent candidate running for the U.S. Senate seat in Nebraska in the November 3, 2026 election, challenging Republican incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts. He is a union steamfitter based in Omaha, Nebraska, and identifies himself on his campaign profiles as a "Union Steamfitter | Mechanic." 1713

Osborn began working as an industrial mechanic at the Kellogg's plant in Omaha in 2004 and rose to become president of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 50G. He led the 2021 Kellogg's strike in Omaha, which brought him to wider public attention. He graduated from Roncalli Catholic High School in 1994; his campaign biography does not list a college degree. 67

Osborn previously ran for U.S. Senate as an independent in 2024 but was not elected. He holds no prior elected public office according to the sources reviewed. The Federal Election Commission classifies him as a challenger and lists his party affiliation as "INDEPENDENT." 6910

His 2026 campaign focuses on working-class issues, campaign finance reform, and independence from both major parties. He has described his candidacy as representing ordinary workers rather than corporate interests. 171819

At a glance

Party
Independent
Running for
U.S. Senate, Nebraska
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
Union steamfitter; Independent candidate for U.S. Senate (Nebraska, 2026)
Website
osbornforsenate.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Timeline

  1. Oct 9
    filing
    FEC filing shows Osborn raised ~$5.75M cycle-to-date with $2.42M cash on hand

    Campaign-finance data covering Jan. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026 showed Osborn with about $5.75 million raised, $3.39 million spent, and $2.42 million cash on hand as cycle-to-date totals.

    Nebraska U.S. Senate 2026 - Midterm Mondays · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 8
    poll
    YouGov poll shows Osborn edging Ricketts 48% to 47% — effectively a statistical tie

    A YouGov survey of 1,809 likely Nebraska voters, fielded Sept. 24–Oct. 3, found Osborn at 48% and Ricketts at 47%, within the ±3.3 percentage point margin of error. The race is effectively a statistical tie.

    YouGov poll shows Osborn up 1 on Ricketts · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 6
    endorsement
    National Security Leaders for America endorses Osborn; he calls for end to Iran war

    The group National Security Leaders for America endorsed Osborn at an event in Papillion. Osborn called for the Iran war to end, saying 'The war in Iran needs to end,' criticized U.S. defense contractors, and argued the conflict was contributing to higher costs in Nebraska.

    U.S. Senate Candidate Dan Osborn (I-NE) Endorsed by Military & National Security Leaders · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 6
    controversy
    Osborn says leaked remarks mocking Trump voters 'came from a place of passion'

    Osborn told reporters his earlier leaked remarks about Trump voters came 'from a place of passion' and said he had 'took[en] accountability.' Republican allies continued to use the recording to criticize him.

    Nebraska’s Dan Osborn says mocking Trump voters ‘came from a place of passion’ · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 5
    news
    Osborn discusses agriculture, anti-corruption, and health care at Pierce town hall

    At a Pierce town hall, Osborn discussed increasing returns for agricultural producers, anti-corruption measures, and consumer-protection laws addressing health-care industry consolidation.

    Osborn touts independent bid, campaign finance reform at Pierce town hall · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Oct 1
    controversy
    Osborn again expresses regret over leaked Trump-voter remarks at Red Cloud town hall

    At a Red Cloud town hall, Osborn again expressed regret over his earlier leaked audio comments disparaging rural Nebraska Trump supporters.

    Dan Osborn Apologizes for Disparaging Remarks During Red Cloud Town Hall Meeting · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 30
    poll
    GBAO poll shows Osborn at 47%, Ricketts at 46% among likely Nebraska voters

    A poll commissioned by Working Class Majority PAC found Osborn at 47% and Ricketts at 46% among 800 likely voters. This was a sponsor-commissioned poll rather than a nonpartisan public poll.

    Nebraska U.S. Senate 2026 - Midterm Mondays · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 29
    controversy
    Report: Osborn campaign paid over $500K to family members; FEC complaint filed

    Fox News Digital reported, based on campaign-finance records, that Osborn's campaign and affiliated PACs had paid more than $500,000 to family members since his Senate bid began. A watchdog group filed an FEC complaint alleging improper payments; the campaign disputed the allegations and said payments were for legitimate campaign work.

    Senate candidate says family is 'treading water ... · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 24
    news
    Osborn joins independent Senate candidates at Capitol press conference on AI legislation

    Osborn joined independent Senate candidates from South Dakota and Alaska at a Capitol press conference urging Congress to remain in session to pass a pending AI and data-center bill.

    Campaign 2026 U.S. Senate Candidate Dan Osborn (I-NE) and ... · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 16
    controversy
    Leaked audio surfaces of Osborn mocking Trump voters; he apologizes

    Audio surfaced in which Osborn described a hypothetical Trump-supporting Red Cloud resident as being on 'the winning team' because 'their lives probably suck.' Osborn said 'It sure sounds like me,' called the remarks out of character, and said he would apologize to those offended. The Omaha World-Herald separately verified the recording with a participant.

    Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn responds to ... · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Sep 11
    filing
    Nebraska Secretary of State certifies 2026 general-election ballot including Osborn

    Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen certified the 2026 general-election ballot. Osborn qualified as a nonpartisan candidate after petitioning, having submitted 6,096 valid signatures, exceeding the 4,000 required.

    Secretary of State certifies ballot for 2026 general election · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  12. Sep 1
    debate
    Osborn and Ricketts debate at Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island

    Osborn and incumbent Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts debated at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. The event was moderated by News Channel Nebraska's Dave Griek.

    Who has the upper hand: Ricketts or Osborn? · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund organization
    Listed as an endorser; no date given in source reviewed. ivoterguide.com
  • Nebraska and Southwest Iowa Building & Construction Trades Council union
    Listed as endorsing Osborn; no date provided in source reviewed. ivoterguide.com
  • Sierra Club Nebraska organization
    Listed among Osborn's endorsers; no date given in source reviewed. ivoterguide.com
  • End Citizens United organization
    Lists Osborn as its endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate in Nebraska; no date specified in source reviewed. endcitizensunited.org
  • Nebraska AFL-CIO union
    Reported as endorsing Osborn; no endorsement date found in sources reviewed. ivoterguide.com
  • National Security Leaders for America organization
    Endorsed Osborn at a press conference in Papillion, Nebraska on October 6, 2026. c-span.org · Oct 6, 2026
  • Mike Marvin (Legal Marijuana NOW U.S. Senate candidate) other
    Endorsed Osborn after suspending his own campaign on August 21, 2026; remained on the ballot but urged supporters to back Osborn. nebraskaexaminer.com · Aug 21, 2026
  • Nebraska Farmers Union Political Action Committee (NEBFARMPAC) union
    Announced endorsement on July 23, 2026; described as a flip from the organization's 2024 endorsement. couriernebraska.com · Jul 23, 2026
  • Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) union
    Announced endorsement on April 30, 2026. bctgm.org · Apr 30, 2026
  • Reform Party USA organization
    Reported as endorsing Osborn in March 2026; no direct party announcement found in sources reviewed. news.ballotpedia.org · Mar 1, 2026
  • A New Policy PAC organization
    PAC announced its endorsement on February 24, 2026. anewpolicypac.org · Feb 24, 2026
  • United Auto Workers (UAW) union
    UAW voted to endorse Osborn; announced February 6, 2026. uaw.org · Feb 6, 2026
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
    Largest federal employee union announced endorsement on December 19, 2025. afge.org · Dec 19, 2025
  • Nebraska Democratic Party organization
    Party publicly supported and endorsed Osborn on or around July 30–August 1, 2025, despite Osborn remaining an independent candidate. nebraska.tv · Aug 1, 2025

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$5.75M
Spent
$3.39M
Cash on hand
$2.42M

As of Sep 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S4NE00207(opens in a new tab)

Sources 30

  1. [1] Dan Osborn iVoterGuide Profile - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  2. [2] Nebraska U.S. Senate 2026 - Midterm Mondays(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] YouGov poll shows Osborn up 1 on Ricketts(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  4. [4] Blue-collar veteran Dan Osborn says Nebraska's Senate seat isn't for sale in race with Pete Ricketts(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  5. [5] Dan Osborn Apologizes for Disparaging Remarks During Red Cloud Town Hall Meeting(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  6. [6] Nebraska’s Dan Osborn says mocking Trump voters ‘came from a place of passion’(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  7. [7] U.S. Senate Candidate Dan Osborn (I-NE) Endorsed by Military & National Security Leaders(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  8. [8] Osborn touts independent bid, campaign finance reform at Pierce town hall(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  9. [9] Protect the Good Life - Dan Osborn(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  10. [10] Who has the upper hand: Ricketts or Osborn?(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  11. [11] Plans — Dan Osborn | Independent for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  12. [12] Senate candidate says family is 'treading water ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  13. [13] Dan Osborn on the Issues(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
  14. [14] Campaign 2026 U.S. Senate Candidate Dan Osborn (I-NE) and ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  15. [15] Nebraska Senate race has seen tough talk and shifts on Immigration(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  16. [16] Drain the Swamp — Dan Osborn | Independent for U.S. Senate(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  17. [17] Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn responds to ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  18. [18] Secretary of State certifies ballot for 2026 general election(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
  19. [19] Dan Osborn: “I'm Not Interested in Talking to the CEOs”(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
  20. [20] Nebraska Legal Marijuana NOW Senate candidate endorses Osborn after suspending campaign(opens in a new tab) Aug 21, 2026
  21. [21] Dan Osborn flips Nebraska Farmers Union's 2024 endorsement(opens in a new tab) Jul 24, 2026
  22. [22] Four candidates are running in the general election for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska, including two who previously ran in 2024(opens in a new tab) Jul 14, 2026
  23. [23] BCTGM | The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and ...(opens in a new tab) Apr 30, 2026
  24. [24] A New Policy PAC Endorses Dan Osborn — A New Policy PAC(opens in a new tab) Feb 24, 2026
  25. [25] UAW Endorses Independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska U.S. Senate ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 6, 2026
  26. [26] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Nebraska's Dan Osborn ...(opens in a new tab) Dec 19, 2025
  27. [27] Dan Osborn endorsed by NE Democratic Party for 2026 ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 1, 2025
  28. [28] Endorsements — End Citizens United(opens in a new tab) May 30, 2025
  29. [29] Dan Osborn campaign sends cease and desist letter to Deb Fischer ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2024
  30. [30] wikipedia.org(opens in a new tab) Feb 21, 2024
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