Story perspectives

Ricketts Leads Osborn in Nebraska Senate; Democrats Abandon Nominee

5/13/2026

Center

Ricketts Faces Osborn

Nebraska Democrats pursued a “plan B,” abandoning a party nominee to clear the ballot for independent Dan Osborn.
Republican Senator Pete Ricketts will face independent Dan Osborn in the November 2026 Nebraska Senate race, with no Democratic candidate.
May polls show Ricketts ahead of Osborn by point, Osborn having raised $3.8 million from out-of-state.
National Republican Senatorial Committee labels Osborn a “fake independent” and cites a $230,000 PAC raise.

Right

Burbank Reinstated

Nebraska Supreme Court reinstated Cindy Burbank on Senate primary ballot after an official removed her for pledging to step aside.
Cindy Burbank, technician, won Democratic Senate primary and will withdraw to endorse Dan Osborn if polls show she cannot win.
Republican officials say Dan Osborn is effectively a Democrat due to his campaign contributions.
Burbank defeated pastor William Forbes 90% to 9% in the primary.

History

Historical Context

In 1992 Texas billionaire Ross Perot ran as an independent, earning 19 % of the popular vote and forcing ballot-access battles that gave his Reform Party statewide qualification. That precedent shows how high-profile independents can pressure parties, a dynamic echoed today as Nebraska officials label Dan Osborn a “fake independent” and Democrats withdraw Cindy Burbank to protect the ballot.

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Ricketts Faces Osborn

Nebraska Democrats pursued a “plan B,” abandoning a party nominee to clear the ballot for independent Dan Osborn.
Republican Senator Pete Ricketts will face independent Dan Osborn in the November 2026 Nebraska Senate race, with no Democratic candidate.
May polls show Ricketts ahead of Osborn by point, Osborn having raised $3.8 million from out-of-state.
National Republican Senatorial Committee labels Osborn a “fake independent” and cites a $230,000 PAC raise.

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