While somepolitical watchers were skepticalof the early polling, it has directed attention to Nebraska.
And could the Nebraska Senate race help Democrats maintain slim control of the Senate?
With the possibility for an upset in the air, both sides have pushed data making their respective cases.
Dan Osborn at his home in Omaha Neb., on Feb. 14, 2024.David Robert Elliott/The New York Times/Redux
In mid-July, Fischer released a poll showing her up26 points.
A week later, Osborns camp highlighted apollthat showed him tied with Fischer at 42 percent.
Fundraising has shown a similarly mixed narrative.
Osborn has positioned himself as an Independent.
Or, as they say in Nebraska, nonpartisan.
Osborn is far from the first Senate candidate to run as Independent.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Sen. Angus King of Maine have both run and won as such.
Where Sanders and King caucus with the Democrats, Osborn has made no such commitment.
In May, his campaign sent out a press release announcing this distinction.
Whether you are Republican, Independent, Libertarian, Democrat, I dont care.
I welcome all to join me to change Washington.
We embrace Independents and have a now-long history of embracing Independents and supporting Independents, Kleeb tellsRolling Stone.
Osborn disputed that characterization.
No one was led on, he says.
Ive been clear that I was not going to take the endorsement of any one party.
and current Sen. Pete Ricketts, who secured that seat through appointment in 2023.
Osborn attributes his path to his candidacy with his ultimate decision to establish and maintain political independence.
Theres kind of a contrarian vibe to politics in the state, Helmink says.
The Independents, or nonpartisans, are becoming a larger and larger group.
Weve got a large group of people that feel like their voice isnt being heard.
Helmink argues the Democratic message ain’t running outside of the cities of Lincoln and Omaha.
The last Democrat to win statewide was former Sen. Ben Nelson in 2008.
The only problem with Dan is hes from Omaha, Helmink says, laughing.
But, you know, at least hes not one of the rich elite folks from Omaha.
He works for a living.
So, yeah, we are highly optimistic we can replace Deb Fischer with Dan Osborn.
Osborn doesnt find it surprising that the race is close.
Rather, he sees the explanation as pretty simple.
Theres around300,000registered nonpartisan voters in Nebraska.
Its the fastest growing demographic for registering voters.
Nationally, thepercentage of Independent votersis also at a high.
Sinema and Manchin are not running for reelection in 2024.
I think what theyre looking for when they ask that is Oh, is he a Democrat?
Well, Im gonna kinda call BS on that because I feel like I truly am an Independent.
Im for working people.
Why cant I create an Osborn caucus?
Or an Independent caucus?
Especially if Im the 51st swing vote in the United States Senate.
People are gonna have to work with me.
Before that can happen, he has his work cut out for him.
Nebraska has a Republican governor and fully Republican congressional delegation.
In 2020, former President Trump secured over58 percent of the states popular vote.
