Dan Osborn’s Comeback: A Populist Underdog Punches Back
Dan Osborn is stepping back into the political ring, and he's not holding anything back.
This former independent U.S. Senate candidate from Nebraska, who made waves during his surprising 2024 run, has officially declared he's running again—this time setting his sights on GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts in the 2026 election. The announcement came on Tuesday, and it’s already stirring the pot in what’s shaping up to be a fascinating political showdown.
"It’s not easy dragging your family through another campaign—especially in a time when political tension is at a boiling point," Osborn told CNN in a recent interview. "But my family’s all-in. We believe in something bigger than us—and this fight is one of those things."
Who Is Dan Osborn, Really?
You might remember him best as the guy who stood up to Kellogg’s in 2021. Osborn, a blue-collar industrial mechanic and union leader, led a headline-grabbing strike that put him on the national radar. He may not have a traditional political background, but that’s exactly what he leans into.
In his 2024 campaign against Sen. Deb Fischer, Osborn pulled off a performance that surprised political insiders. He lost, sure—but only by less than 7 points. Not bad for a first-time candidate without major-party backing. For context, he actually got 66,000 more votes than Kamala Harris, who was trounced by Donald Trump in Nebraska by a staggering 20 points in the presidential race.
Let that sink in: a mechanic-turned-union-leader outperformed the sitting Vice President in a deep-red state.
Populism, Not Partisanship
One of Osborn’s signature moves? Refusing to be pigeonholed.
While many independents lean left or right quietly, Osborn made it clear from day one: he’s not caucusing with Democrats or Republicans. He’s forging his own path. That stubborn independence didn’t sit well with Nebraska’s Republican establishment, who tried to label him a “Democrat in disguise.” But Osborn hit back—hard.
He didn’t ask for help from national Democrats. Even when the Senate Majority PAC pumped $3.8 million into supporting him during the final stretch of the campaign, Osborn maintained his distance.
“I didn’t ask for that money,” he said flatly to CNN. Classic Osborn.
His platform? A mix of positions that don't neatly align with either party:
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Conservative on border security and Second Amendment rights
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Progressive on abortion rights and campaign finance reform
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Fiercely anti-elitist
That ideological blend might just resonate with the kind of voters who feel abandoned by both political parties.
The Contrast with Pete Ricketts
This time, Osborn’s going up against Sen. Pete Ricketts—an entirely different kind of opponent.
Ricketts, the son of billionaire TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts, isn’t just wealthy—he’s ultra-wealthy. A former two-term governor, Ricketts was appointed to the Senate in 2023 after Ben Sasse resigned. He then cruised to a special election victory, winning by 25 points.
But Osborn is betting that Nebraskans are tired of politics by inheritance.
“People who are living paycheck to paycheck—Ricketts just made their lives harder so he could give himself a tax cut,” Osborn said. “I’ve got a real problem with that.”
It’s a classic working-class-versus-elite dynamic, and Osborn is embracing it fully. He’s trying to draw a clear line: he’s the guy who’s been in the factory; Ricketts is the guy who’s never missed a cocktail party.
The Trump Factor
Of course, in a red state like Nebraska, Donald Trump’s endorsement still packs a serious punch.
And in April, the former president came out swinging for Ricketts on Truth Social.
“Pete is one of the strongest Senators in the Country on Border Security,” Trump wrote. “Dan Osborn is a Radical Left Open Border Extremist… Pete will ALWAYS put Nebraska, and America, FIRST.”
Ouch.
Trump’s support might help Ricketts shore up his conservative base, but Osborn’s not trying to win over the far right. He’s building a coalition of disaffected Republicans, independent voters, working-class Democrats, and everyone in between who wants something different.
Can Osborn Really Win?
It’s a long shot, no doubt. Nebraska hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2012. But Osborn doesn’t need to be a traditional Democrat. That might be his secret weapon.
And even if he doesn’t flip Nebraska, his campaign could force Republicans to spend time and money defending what should be a safe seat—especially on a brutal 2026 map.
Let’s not forget, the GOP will also be defending:
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A vulnerable seat in blue-leaning Maine (Sen. Susan Collins)
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An open seat in North Carolina following Sen. Thom Tillis’ retirement
Meanwhile, Democrats are on the defensive in several tough states like Georgia (where Jon Ossoff is expected to face a fierce challenge), Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire.
As Justin Barasky, a veteran of Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown’s campaign, noted:
“When maps get expanded, it usually ends up being in states that in July of the off-year aren’t thought about as toss-ups yet.”
Nebraska might just end up on that list—if Osborn has anything to say about it.
Looking Ahead: The National Impact
There’s a bigger picture to Osborn’s run, too.
For Democrats dreaming of taking back the Senate in 2026, it means looking at states like:
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Texas, where Colin Allred is launching a second bid
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Iowa and Alaska, if things really start breaking their way
Osborn’s populist message might not win him party endorsements, but it forces a conversation about how working-class voices are represented in Washington.
And even if he doesn’t caucus with anyone, a win for Osborn could completely change the math in the Senate. His seat could become a swing vote on everything from judicial nominations to major policy initiatives.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Symbol
Dan Osborn isn’t just running to shake things up—though he’s definitely doing that. He’s part of a growing movement of candidates who aren’t polished politicians, who haven’t spent their lives networking in D.C., and who aren’t afraid to call out both parties.
Whether or not you agree with him, one thing is certain: he’s not backing down, and he’s not doing politics the old way.
As 2026 approaches, keep your eye on Nebraska. The battle between a billionaire-backed incumbent and a working-class populist might be one of the most surprisingly explosive races of the cycle.
And Osborn? He’s ready to fight. Again.
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