GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts has defeated independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska, NBC News projects.
asserted
News → defeat → Nebraska
Osborn, a pipe fitter, was one of multiple independent Senate candidates running this year in traditionally Republican states.
asserted
Osborn → run → states
Osborn had the added advantage of a one-on-one race against Ricketts after the Democratic nominee ended her campaign in July.
asserted
nominee → have → July
But Osborn faced an onslaught of attacks accusing him of being a secret Democrat.
asserted
Osborn → face → him
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.
asserted
he → stress → 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.
asserted
Ricketts → send → debate
“And if he were in charge of the Senate and gave it to the Democrats, that would be a disaster for Nebraska.”
asserted
that → give → Nebraska
The sharp attacks underscored the tougher-than-expected nature of the race in a state Donald Trump won by 20 points in 2024.
asserted
Trump → underscore → 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.
asserted
Ricketts → win → points
Osborn, however, lost by just 7 points in his first Senate bid, against Republican Sen. Deb Fischer two years ago.
asserted
Osborn → lose → Fischer
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.
asserted
voters → become → Iran
High diesel prices due to the war with Iran and Trump’s sweeping tariffs also hit farmers in heartland states, including Nebraska.
asserted
prices → hit → 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.
asserted
Trump → sign → diesel
“Prices are all going down.
asserted
Prices → go → ?
Prices are all going way down, but they really are going to plummet as soon as that war ends.
asserted
war → go → ?
It’s going to be very soon,” Trump said at the rally.
asserted
Trump → go → rally
“And today, I’m announcing another unprecedented step to bring down costs for many years.
asserted
I → announce → years
Farm vehicles, construction equipment and other off-road vehicles have used what is known as ‘red dye’ diesel,” Trump said.
asserted
Trump → use → diesel
“Do you know what that is?
asserted
that → know → ?
I don’t know what the hell it is, but whatever it is, it’s supposed to be very good.”
asserted
it → know → ?
Osborn, a Navy veteran and former union organizer, supported Trump’s move but described it as a “Band-Aid.”
asserted
Osborn → support → 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.
asserted
he → highlight → 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.
asserted
Osborn → go → debate
“I’ve talked to them, and people are working hard.
asserted
people → talk → them
But there’s a common theme that I find around the state, and times are getting harder.
asserted
times → ’ → state
Costs are getting too expensive.
asserted
Costs → get → ?
Healthcare is getting too expensive.
asserted
Healthcare → get → ?
Groceries are too expensive, and families are falling behind.”
asserted
families → fall → ?
Osborn also leaned into voters’ concerns about corruption, attacking Ricketts’ wealth and accusing him of being beholden to big donors and corporations.
asserted
Osborn → lean → donors
“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.
asserted
Osborn → tire → room
“But Pocket Pete, he’s right at home.
asserted
he → ’ → 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.
asserted
they → work → 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.
asserted
voters → say → ad
The Aporia
