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Dan Osborn

By Petition candidate for United States Senator, Nebraska · Challenger

Industrial mechanic and former union leader; Navy veteran

Dan Osborn is a registered nonpartisan Navy veteran and former Omaha union leader. He ran for U.S. Senate in 2024 and lost to Republican Sen. Deb Fischer by about six percentage points. He is now running by petition against incumbent Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts in the November 3, 2026 general election.

Where Osborn stands

Tariffs and trade: Supports targeted tariffs, citing protection for the U.S. auto industry. Says blanket tariffs raise costs for small businesses and families, including building materials and the cost of buying a home.
Beef prices and agriculture: Opposes the administration's expansion of tariff-free beef imports, including Argentina's quota. Says the President "needs to scrap this deal" because it undercuts American cattle producers.
Social Security and Medicare: Proposes raising or changing the income cap on Social Security payroll taxes to strengthen the program, saying higher earners should pay a fairer share.
Congressional stock trading: Supports banning individual stock trading by members of Congress and the executive branch. Says members who trade on insider information should go to jail.
Party donor disclosure: Calls dark money in elections a "big problem" that needs fixing and pledges not to leave his door open to special interests. In a debate, he acknowledged that outside groups backing him have taken money from undisclosed donors.
Party caucus: Says that if elected he would not caucus with either the Republican or the Democratic party.
Health insurance subsidies: Said he would have fought to extend the health insurance premium tax credits at the center of the 2025 federal shutdown fight.

Background

U.S. Navy veteran
Former Omaha union leader
Nonpartisan candidate for U.S. Senate, Nebraska, 2024 (lost to Deb Fischer by about 6 points)
Candidate by petition for U.S. Senate, Nebraska, 2026

In the news

Democrat Ro Khanna to campaign in Nebraska with independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn CBS News, October 20, 2026
Group questions more Ricketts pardons as Osborn defends comments on Fischer Omaha World-Herald, October 18, 2026
Osborn's independence continues to be scrutinized in Nebraska Senate race Nebraska Examiner, October 17, 2026
Dan Osborn apologizes to Red Cloud residents in subdued town hall: 'I do regret those words' Omaha World-Herald, October 9, 2026
Nebraska's Dan Osborn responds to leaked audio commenting on Trump supporters The Washington Post, October 1, 2026

Also running for United States Senator

Pete Ricketts Republican
Mike Marvin Legal Marijuana NOW
Robin Richards Nebraska Working People
Chuck Conboy America First

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.