Osborn ran as an independent candidate in the regular 2024 United States Senate election in Nebraska.[1] He drew attention for his unorthodox platform and the unusually high support for an independent in what is traditionally a strongly Republican or red state. Osborn's performance was the best ever for an independent candidate in a Nebraska Senate race.
When Osborn was seven, his family moved to Omaha after his father was transferred with Union Pacific.[3] After an accident, Osborn's father was moved to the railroad company's management side and transferred out of state.[4] Osborn stayed in Omaha to finish high school and lived on his own starting at age 16, paying rent with odd jobs.[4] He graduated from Roncalli Catholic High School in 1994.[3][8]
Osborn officially announced his candidacy as an independent candidate on October 5, 2023.[8] By March 2024, he had collected 4,000 signatures from Nebraska voters, enough to be eligible for the November 2024 ballot. [20][21] In August he submitted more than 12,000, guaranteeing his place on the ballot.[22]
Osborn has been registered as nonpartisan since registering to vote in 2004.[23] Although Democrats chose not to run a candidate in the Senate election, Osborn declined their endorsement.[1][24] The state Democratic Party considered running a write-in candidate,[25] accusing Osborn of misleading them about his intentions, but Osborn said he had always been clear that he would not accept endorsements from any political party.[26] Osborn wanted to form an independent caucus in the Senate rather than caucus with either party.[27] He has called the current system a "two-party doom loop".[28] The Reform Party of the United States endorsed him in September 2024.[29] Senate Democrats have not engaged with or helped Osborn's campaign.[30]
Osborn raised more campaign funds, mostly small-dollar donations, than any independent candidate in Nebraska's history.[31] The last independent to win a Senate seat in Nebraska was progressive George Norris in 1936.[32]
Asked about his prospects in the race by the New York Times, Osborn said: "I've gone up against a major American corporation. I stood up for what I thought was right, and I won."[1] Of the major candidates in the 2024 United States presidential election he said (before Joe Biden withdrew): "I think they're both too old. I think they're both incompetent. There's a good chance I won't vote for president."[1] He later said he does intend to vote for one of the two major-party candidates.[33]
The race between Osborn and Fischer was unusually competitive for Nebraska, which traditionally is a safe Republican Senate seat,[34][35] and potentially important in determining partisan control of the Senate.[36][37] In an August 2024 Split Research poll, Fischer held a narrow lead of 39% to 38% over Osborn, within the margin of error, while 23% of voters were undecided. The poll led the Nebraska Examiner to call the election a tight race.[38] The Cook Political Report's Senate and governor's editor said: "This is probably the most surprising race of the cycle. [Osborn] is such a different type of politician. He's a blue-collar worker—a mechanic. I think Fischer is a lower-profile senator who isn't as well known."[39] Various polls showed both of them leading and the race extremely tight.[40][41] An October 28 New York Times/Siena College poll showed Osborn two points behind Fischer, well within the margin of error.[42] Fischer won the race.[43][44]
Politico reported that the Democrats, after their losses in the 2024 elections, are studying Osborn's unusually competitive campaign as they rebuild their party and its image.[50]
^Svitek, Patrick (October 4, 2024). "In Nebraska, independent Senate candidate gives GOP a competitive race". The Washington Post. Osborn gained national prominence after he led the 2021 strike as president of the local Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union.
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