Sen. Deb Fischer (D-Neb.)
is projected to win reelection, surviving a surprise challenge from independent candidate Dan Osborn in the Nebraska Senate race, according to Decision Desk HQ.
Fischer, a former state senator who first won a spot in the Senate against former Democratic Sen. Bob Kerrey in 2012, will be headed back to the Senate for a third six-year term.
Fischer did not face a Democratic challenger in the general election, but she did draw a dark-horse opponent in Osborn, a steamfitter who led a major strike against Kellogg’s in 2021.
Osborn, an independent, looked to court both Republicans and Democrats in the state.
His platform included an openness to changing the filibuster, legalizing cannabis, opposing federal abortion restrictions, passing term limits in Congress, securing the border and supporting gun rights while backing “reasonable gun safety measures.” In one of his ads, Osborn argued that Fischer had received so much money from special interests that she should wear patches as if she were a NASCAR driver.
Another ad claimed that “Deb Fischer has more in common with Hillary Clinton than Donald Trump.” Meanwhile, Fischer and other Republicans argued in advertising that Osborn is simply a Democrat in sheep’s clothing, saying “we don’t need another Democrat in D.C.” Some even went as far as to tie him to progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
The surprisingly competitive race attracted tens of millions of dollars in spending in a state that both parties would have written off as a safe Republican seat.
The race became so competitive that the nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rated Fischer’s seat “lean Republican” — on par with that of Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) reelection bid.
Still, independent candidates have long faced steep climbs toward successful Senate bids, the last of which included independent Evan McMullin, who lost against Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in 2022.
Sen. D-Neb. Deb Fischer. is predicted by Decision Desk HQ to win reelection after overcoming an unexpected challenge from independent Dan Osborn in the Nebraska Senate race.
Fischer, a former state senator, defeated a former Democratic senator to earn a Senate seat. 2012 will see Bob Kerrey return to the Senate for a third six-year term.
In the general election, Fischer did not have a Democratic opponent; however, she did attract a dark horse opponent in Osborn, a steamfitter who spearheaded a significant strike against Kellogg’s in 2021.
Osborn, an independent, sought to win over the state’s Democrats and Republicans. His agenda included securing the border, approving “reasonable gun safety measures,” opposing federal abortion restrictions, legalizing cannabis, passing term limits in Congress, and being open to changing the filibuster. “”.
In one of his advertisements, Osborn claimed that Fischer should wear patches like an NASCAR driver because she had gotten so much money from special interests. According to a different advertisement, Deb Fischer is more like Hillary Clinton than Donald Trump. “.”.
Tens of millions of dollars were spent in a state that both parties would have dismissed as a safe Republican seat because of the unexpectedly close race. Because of the intense competition, Fischer’s seat was rated as “lean Republican” by Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, on par with Sen. The reelection campaign of Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
However, independent candidates have long had to climb the ladder to becoming successful senators; the last one was independent Evan McMullin, who lost to Sen. 2022: Mike Lee (R-Utah).
