From the HERE City National Desk
OMAHA, Neb. — Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts has won a full Senate term in Nebraska, turning back independent challenger Dan Osborn in one of the few bright spots for Republicans on a night Democrats took control of the Senate.
The race was called early Wednesday. With about 90% of the expected vote counted, Ricketts had about 50.3% to Osborn’s 43.7%, a margin of more than 48,000 votes. Osborn had led in the early count before Ricketts pulled ahead as more of the vote came in.
Osborn, a pipe fitter, Navy veteran and former union organizer, faced Ricketts one on one after the Democratic nominee left the race in July. He pledged not to caucus with either party but had the support of the Nebraska Democratic Party, and Ricketts spent much of the campaign casting him as a Democrat in disguise.
The contest was tighter than many expected in a state President Donald Trump carried by 20 points in 2024. Ricketts, a former governor, won a 2024 special election by 25 points to finish the term of former Sen. Ben Sasse. Osborn lost a 2024 Senate bid against Sen. Deb Fischer by 7 points.
Costs drove the campaign. High diesel prices tied to the war with Iran, along with federal tariffs, squeezed farmers in Nebraska and across the heartland. Trump signed an executive order at a Nebraska rally in October to widen access to the dyed diesel used on farms.
Osborn focused on household costs and attacked Ricketts’ personal wealth and ties to big donors. Ricketts reminded voters he had won statewide office three times and pointed to his record as governor through fires, floods and the pandemic.
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