Pete Ricketts beats Dan Osborn in competitive Nebraska Senate race

Republican Senator Pete Ricketts has defeated independent challenger Dan Osborn to win a full term in the U.S. Senate, NBC News projected on Tuesday. The victory secures Ricketts' position in a race that analysts noted was more competitive than expected in a state that has historically favored Republican candidates.

Osborn, a Navy veteran and former union organizer who worked as a pipe fitter, entered the race as a serious threat. His path became clear in July when the Democratic nominee withdrew, leaving him in a direct head-to-head matchup with Ricketts. Although he received the endorsement of the Nebraska Democratic Party, Osborn maintained throughout the campaign that he would not caucus with either party if elected.

The race intensified as Trump’s approval ratings declined. Voters in Nebraska and other heartland states expressed frustration over rising costs and the ongoing war with Iran. High diesel prices linked to the conflict, combined with sweeping tariffs, squeezed farmers and other workers. In response, President Trump signed an executive order in early October to expand access to off-road diesel, a move he described as a major step to lower costs.

At a rally in Nebraska, Trump told the crowd that prices were going to plummet once the war ended. He announced that farm vehicles, construction equipment, and other off-road vehicles would benefit from the expanded access to red dye diesel. Osborn welcomed the measure but called it a Band-Aid. He focused his campaign on the financial strain facing Nebraskans, rarely criticizing Trump by name in a state where the president still commands strong support.

Osborn argued that working families were falling behind due to expensive healthcare, groceries, and general living costs. He told voters at a debate that he had spoken to thousands of teachers, truck drivers, and nurses who reported that times were getting harder. He positioned himself as a candidate for ordinary workers against the political establishment.

Ricketts, who won a special election in 2024 to finish the term of former Senator Ben Sasse, attacked Osborn for accepting the Democratic endorsement. During a September debate, Ricketts called Osborn too extreme and warned that his leadership would be a disaster for the state. Republicans portrayed the independent as a covert Democrat, a claim that resonated with voters in Trump’s home state.

Osborn countered with an anti-corruption message, targeting Ricketts' personal wealth and ties to wealthy donors. In a television ad, he referred to Ricketts as Pocket Pete and suggested he was at home among the elite. Ricketts responded by highlighting his previous service as governor, reminding voters of his record through fires, floods, and the pandemic. The campaign concluded with Ricketts retaining his seat in a state where Trump had carried the previous presidential election by 20 points.