Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) has defeated independent candidate Dan Osborn in Nebraska's Senate race, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ, ensuring the seat remains under Republican control.
Ricketts, who was appointed in 2023 to fill the remainder of former Sen. Ben Sasse's term, won the race to secure a full six-year term. With 41% of the vote counted early Wednesday, Ricketts held roughly 49% of the vote to Osborn's 45%.
Osborn, a union leader and political independent, mounted a surprisingly competitive campaign in a state where Republicans hold a substantial registration advantage. He had previously come within 7 points of Sen. Deb Fischer in the 2024 race, signaling his potential as a spoiler.
Throughout the campaign, Osborn sought to position himself as a centrist, promising not to caucus with either party if elected. However, Ricketts and fellow Republicans painted him as a Democrat in disguise, pointing to the support he received from Nebraska Democrats, who rallied behind him after their own nominee dropped out to clear his path.
The race drew national attention, with former President Donald Trump making a campaign stop in Nebraska as part of his red-state blitz—a move that local operatives interpreted as a sign of GOP concern. Trump's endorsement of Ricketts underscored the stakes in a state that has been reliably Republican in federal elections.
Despite the GOP's dominance in Nebraska's congressional delegation, the state's presidential politics have shown more volatility. The Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District, known as the "blue dot," has flipped between parties in recent elections and went for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. Nebraska is one of two states that splits its Electoral College votes by congressional district, and that district's support for Harris added to her tally.
Ricketts's victory is a key hold for Republicans as they defend their Senate majority. The result also underscores the challenges independents face in deep-red states, even when they run strong campaigns. For a closer look at other competitive Senate races, see the tough fight in Maine and South Dakota's independent challenge.
With Ricketts's win, Nebraska's Senate delegation remains solidly Republican, and the state's political landscape continues to favor the GOP. Osborn's performance, however, may signal a growing appetite for independent alternatives in the Cornhusker State.
