GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts fends off independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska Senate race

GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts has defeated independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska, NBC News projects.

Osborn, a pipe fitter, was one of multiple independent Senate candidates running this year in traditionally Republican states. Osborn had the added advantage of a one-on-one race against Ricketts after the Democratic nominee ended her campaign in July.

But Osborn faced an onslaught of attacks accusing him of being a secret Democrat. He had stressed that he would not caucus with either party if he were elected, but he did have the backing of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

“Democrat Dan is too extreme, and he would be the most extreme senator we’ve ever sent to the U.S. Senate from Nebraska,” Ricketts said at a September debate. “And if he were in charge of the Senate and gave it to the Democrats, that would be a disaster for Nebraska.”

The sharp attacks underscored the tougher-than-expected nature of the race in a state Donald Trump won by 20 points in 2024. The same year, Ricketts won a special election to serve the final two years of GOP former Sen. Ben Sasse’s term by 25 percentage points. Osborn, however, lost by just 7 points in his first Senate bid, against Republican Sen. Deb Fischer two years ago.

Ricketts’ bid for a full Senate term became competitive amid Trump’s sinking approval ratings, with voters frustrated by high costs and the war with Iran. High diesel prices due to the war with Iran and Trump’s sweeping tariffs also hit farmers in heartland states, including Nebraska.

At a rally in Nebraska in early October, Trump signed an executive order expanding access to diesel used in farming, known as “red dye” diesel.

“Prices are all going down. Prices are all going way down, but they really are going to plummet as soon as that war ends. It’s going to be very soon,” Trump said at the rally.

“And today, I’m announcing another unprecedented step to bring down costs for many years. Farm vehicles, construction equipment and other off-road vehicles have used what is known as ‘red dye’ diesel,” Trump said. “Do you know what that is? I don’t know what the hell it is, but whatever it is, it’s supposed to be very good.”

Osborn, a Navy veteran and former union organizer, supported Trump’s move but described it as a “Band-Aid.” He often highlighted Nebraskans’ struggles with high costs, though he rarely directly criticized Trump by name in a state with plenty of his supporters.

“I’ve gone around the state, and I’ve talked to thousands of Nebraskans and hardworking people — teachers, truck drivers, nurses, lunch ladies, you name it,” Osborn said at the debate. “I’ve talked to them, and people are working hard. But there’s a common theme that I find around the state, and times are getting harder. Costs are getting too expensive. Healthcare is getting too expensive. Groceries are too expensive, and families are falling behind.”

Osborn also leaned into voters’ concerns about corruption, attacking Ricketts’ wealth and accusing him of being beholden to big donors and corporations.

“People like us are tired of people in rooms like this calling the shots,” Osborn said in a TV ad featuring men gathered in a smoke-filled room. “But Pocket Pete, he’s right at home.”

Ricketts also worked to remind voters that they elected him to statewide office in three separate elections, launching an ad focused on his time as governor.

“Through fires and flooding, the ups and downs in agriculture, a global pandemic and every other challenge, Pete Ricketts has been there for Nebraska,” voters said in the ad.