Nebraska Senate Candidate Dan Osborn Recorded Discussing Campaign Strategy

<p>Dan Osborn is running for the Senate seat in Nebraska, presenting himself as a moderate independent candidate. However, a recently released recording suggests a different approach to his campaign strategy, indicating he may prioritize winning over transparency about his positions.</p><p>In the recording, Osborn stated, "I can go and I can be the voice for LGBTQ and immigration and all of these issues. Then I lose the election. It feels good in the moment. At the end of the day, I’m gonna win this election. And then I’ll be the senator for six years and everybody else can f-off." This conversation took place after a town hall meeting in South Omaha.</p><p>Osborn is competing against incumbent Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) in the upcoming election on November 3. Polling data shows a competitive race, with a SurveyUSA poll from September 14 indicating Osborn leading with 46% to Ricketts' 42%, while a Wedgewood Poll two days later showed Ricketts ahead at 52% to Osborn's 48%. Most analysts categorize the race as Likely or Lean Republican.</p><p>The recording raises concerns about the alignment of Osborn's public campaign message with his private views. In a previous recording, he discussed the need for Republican support in Nebraska, stating he would not win by openly supporting transgender rights. He also mentioned that he could not publicly advocate for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to concerns about being recorded.</p><p>Osborn has acknowledged that he shares some policy views with Democrats, including support for codifying Roe v. Wade and opposing certain tax cuts. Despite this, a pro-Osborn political action committee has promoted him as an independent who will oppose liberal Democrats on issues like gun rights and border security.</p><p>While Osborn's campaign claims he is independent of both major parties, the Nebraska Democratic Party has formally endorsed him, with party chair Jane Kleeb stating that he could unite voters across party lines. This endorsement complicates his narrative as an outsider to the two-party system.</p><p>Earlier this month, leaked audio captured Osborn making disparaging remarks about Trump supporters, which he later acknowledged but described as out of character. He did not publicly reject the latest recording.</p>