Ricketts Wins Nebraska Senate Race Over Independent Dan Osborn, Outlets Report

Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts won a full six-year term in Nebraska on Tuesday, defeating independent Dan Osborn, according to projections from CBS News and NBC News. Ricketts, 62, is a former governor who was appointed in January 2023 by Gov. Jim Pillen to fill the seat of Ben Sasse. Osborn, 51, is a former union leader and pipe fitter who lost to Sen. Deb Fischer by 7 points in 2024. He faced Ricketts one-on-one after the Democratic nominee, Cindy Burbank, ended her campaign, and the Nebraska Democratic Party backed him. Osborn said he would caucus with neither party. Ricketts and his allies called him "Democrat Dan," while Osborn called Ricketts "Private Equity Pete." Nebraska has not elected a non-Republican to the Senate since 2006. Donald Trump won the state by 20 points in 2024.

Left-leaning CBS News and NBC News lead with the projection and frame the race as unexpectedly competitive. They point to Trump's falling approval, the unpopular Iran war, and high gas and diesel prices that hurt farmers. CBS adds that the result relieves Republicans protecting their majority, while NBC quotes Ricketts's September debate attack on Osborn and gives 2024 margins. The right-leaning New York Post also reports the win, but leads with Ricketts's family and appointment background and Osborn's loss. It adds the leaked audio of Osborn mocking Trump supporters and the "prairie populists" label. The Daily Wire, in a pre-result piece, calls Burbank's exit a Democratic trick, citing Secretary of State Bob Evnen's ballot removal and her win on appeal on a technicality. Both sides cover the Democratic withdrawal and the caucus dispute, but the left emphasizes the national environment while the right emphasizes Osborn's party ties and ballot maneuvering. Alternative and independent outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing.