Fischer fends off independent rival in Nebraska Senate race

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.