Republican incumbent Deb Fischer defeats independent Dan Osborn in US Senate race

Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer pushed back an unexpectedly strong challenge from independent candidate Dan Osborn and won a third Senate term Tuesday night.

By a slim margin, Fischer, 73, became the first U.S. senator from Nebraska elected to a third term since the late Democrat Jim Exon won reelection in 1990. Osborn, 49, had sought to become the first independent elected to the U.S. Senate from Nebraska since George Norris won re-election to the upper congressional chamber in 1936.

Fischer, who was first elected in 2012 to succeed Democrat Ben Nelson, initially appeared to be on glide path to reelection especially after Nebraska Democrats did not put up a candidate.

But the former Valentine area rancher faced a surprisingly robust campaign from Osborn, a former mechanic and union leader who led a strike against food manufacturer Kellogg. Co. in 2021.

In the race's closing days, a New York Time/Siena College poll released last week found the race was within the margin of error at two percentage points.

But Fischer had said that polls had underestimated her before, even as her allies began pouring money into Nebraska to shore up her candidacy.

The Associated Press called the race in favor of Fischer shortly after 11 p.m. With 85% of the vote tallied, she was besting Osborn by 5 percentage points.

Fischer, first elected in 2012 to succeed the retiring Democrat Ben Nelson, becomes the first U.S. senator from Nebraska elected to a third term since the late Democrat Jim Exon won reelection in 1990. Osborn sought to become the first independent U.S. senator elected in Nebraska since George Norris pulled off the feat in 1936.

In thanking jubilant supporters at the Republicans' election night party in Bellevue, Fischer said she was grateful to Nebraska voters.

"To my fellow Nebraskans: I am grateful for your trust, and I am humbled by your faith in me. I will never betray that faith, and I will never break that trust," Fischer said.

The race between Fischer and Osborn appeared to be one of the closest U.S. Senate race in Nebraska in decades. In 2000, Nelson, who had finished his second term as the state's governor a year earlier, defeated then-Attorney General Don Stenberg 51% to 48.8% — a difference of just over 15,000 votes — for an open Senate seat.

"We knew this was going to come down to the wire," Osborn said in his concession speech.

Osborn said the outcome was obviously disappointing but "no one says that this campaign didn't change American politics tonight."

Fischer won her prior two U.S. Senate elections overwhelmingly. In 2012, she defeated former Nebraska Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey with a margin of more than 15 percentage points.

Fischer won an even more resounding victory in her 2018 reelection bid. She defeated Democratic nominee Jane Raybould by almost 20 percentage points. Prior to running against Fischer, Raybould, who is now a state senator, was Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chuck Hassebrook's running mate in 2014.

But whereas Fischer easily dispatched her previous Democratic challengers, the independent political newcomer Osborn proved to be a challenge.

Fischer came to the U.S. Senate after serving two terms in the Nebraska Legislature. During her time in the Senate, Fischer has secured spots on several committees including Armed Services, Agriculture, Commerce and Appropriations. She has said a third Senate term would give Nebraska greater influence in Congress.

During Fischer's two terms in the Senate, her supporters said Fischer has been effective in the chamber, saying she has asked thoughtful questions of those who have testified before Senate committees.

Hagge, from Lincoln, doesn't think Osborn would've been right for Nebraska. He came out of nowhere, Hagge said, with a bunch of money.

Suzanne Hatfield, standing next to Hagge, said they're a military family and they feel Fischer has done a lot to help both their family and others.

"We just feel like her record speaks for itself," said Hatfield, 57. "It's a proven record."

Osborn said he only became a political person after seeing the effects of "corporate greed" up close during the union's strike against Kellogg Co. He declined to accept any endorsements in the race. His decision rankled Nebraska Democratic Party leaders after Osborn announced it the day after the primary election in May.

He also declined to endorse other candidates or say who he planned to vote for in the presidential election.

Osborn said he evaluated political issues individually, not through a partisan lens.

Race drew national attention

The race drew plenty of attention from outsiders .

On Saturday, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, appeared with Fischer at a rally in Bellevue and described her as "tough."

"Deb Fischer is tough as nails," Cotton said. "She's tough for Nebraska. She is tough on crime, she's tough on the border, she's tough on our enemies from China to Iran and all around the world and she is tough on the liberal, politicians and bureaucrats who want to trample on our Constitution."

On Sunday, actor Paul Scheer, who starred in the FX sitcom "The League," called Osborn "a political unicorn" at a rally inside the Steamfitters & Plumbers local union hall in southwest Omaha. Scheer cited Osborn's Navy service and blue-collar union leader background.

"He's the type of politician that we all wish would run but rarely ever does," Scheer said.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump even got involved.

Appearing with Fischer on a tele-rally last month, the Republican nominee praised Fischer, calling her "a terrific person." Trump also criticized Osborn, calling the former union leader a "Biden voter" who made Bernie Sanders look conservative.

Outside groups spent tens of millions of dollars in the race — a sign of the race's importance in determining which party will control the U.S. Senate. Osborn said during his campaign that he didn't plan to caucus with either Republicans or Democrats should he have gotten elected to the Senate.

As of mid-October, Osborn's candidacy had drawn about $20.5 million from outside organizations including super PACs both supporting and opposing his campaign, according to campaign watchdog OpenSecrets. Fischer's candidacy, by contrast, had attracted about $8.6 million in outside spending, including $7.6 million opposing her candidacy.

In another sign of the race's importance to the balance of power in the U.S. Senate, people from across the nation donated to the candidates, according to federal campaign records.

Now that she's won, Fischer said she will work to help Nebraskans and Americans deal with the challenges of inflation and enjoy safer communities.

"We will build a safe, prosperous future for our children and grandchildren," she said.

Despite his loss, Osborn said Tuesday he believes his unexpectedly strong candidacy will be replicated elsewhere.

"I have no doubt that what happened here in Nebraska will be a spark that ignites a working class movement all across the country," he said.

World-Herald staff writers Luna Stephens, Jon Walker and Henry Cordes contributed to this report.

Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Public safety reporter