Cindy Burbank has won the Democratic Senate primary in Nebraska, defeating pastor William Forbes to secure the nomination. The victory potentially clears a path for independent candidate Dan Osborn to face incumbent GOP Senator Pete Ricketts head-to-head in the general election.
A Strategic Primary Battle
Burbank, a pharmacy technician, entered the race shortly before the filing deadline. She stated she joined the contest after hearing reports that Republicans were attempting to place a Democratic candidate on the ballot.
The Nebraska Democratic Party had originally declined to field a candidate to facilitate a matchup between Osborn and Ricketts. However, William Forbes filed at the last minute, leading some Democrats to allege he was a “Ricketts plant” designed to siphon votes from Osborn.
Forbes denied these allegations, though the source notes he has supported Donald Trump in recent elections and attended a training run hosted by a conservative group.
The Independent Factor
Dan Osborn, a steamfitter and former union organizer, is positioning himself as a non-partisan alternative. Osborn has stated he does not intend to caucus with either major party if elected.
Osborn previously ran a competitive independent campaign in 2024, losing to GOP Senator Deb Fischer by 7 points. In that same cycle, Donald Trump carried the state by 20 points.
While Republicans have used 2024 attack ads to claim Osborn is a Democrat—citing private praise for Senator Bernie Sanders—Osborn told NBC News last year that he wrote in United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain for president in 2024.
The Path to November
Senator Pete Ricketts, a former governor, easily won his Republican primary and has the endorsement of Donald Trump. Ricketts is seeking his first full term after winning a 2024 special election to replace Ben Sasse and has already launched advertisements focusing on tax cuts.
Burbank has indicated she would consider ending her campaign and backing Osborn if she determines there is no clear path to victory. She stated, “I will drop out when and if the time comes that win in November.”
Burbank intends to evaluate her prospects via polling and aims to make a decision in time to remove her name from the November ballot. She has noted that it would not be “fair” to stay on the ballot and take votes away from Osborn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dan Osborn?
Osborn is a steamfitter and former union organizer running as an independent. He previously ran for Senate in 2024 and has stated he will not caucus with either party if elected.
Why did Cindy Burbank enter the Democratic primary?
Burbank said she jumped into the race after hearing chatter that Republicans were trying to place a Democrat on the ballot.
Who is the Republican candidate in the race?
The Republican candidate is Senator Pete Ricketts, a former governor who is endorsed by Donald Trump.
Do you believe an independent candidate has a better chance of winning in a deeply partisan political climate?
