Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts wins Nebraska Senate race, fending off independent Dan Osborn

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

Osborn, a pipefitter, was one of several independent Senate candidates running this year in traditionally Republican states. Osborn had the added benefit of a head-to-head race against Ricketts after the Democratic nominee ended her campaign in July.

But Osborn faced a wave of attacks accusing him of being a secret Democrat. He had emphasized that he would not unite with either party if elected, but he had the support of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

“Democrat Dan is too extreme, and he would be the most extreme senator we have ever sent to the United States Senate from Nebraska,” Ricketts said during a September debate. “And if he were to run the Senate and turn it over to the Democrats, it would be a disaster for Nebraska.”

The scathing attacks underscored the tougher-than-expected nature of the race in a state that Donald Trump won by 20 points in 2024. That same year, Ricketts won a special election to fill the final two years of former Republican 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 has become competitive amid Trump’s declining approval ratings, with voters frustrated by high costs and the war with Iran. High diesel prices due to the war with Iran and drastic tariffs imposed by Trump have 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 agriculture, known as “red dye” diesel.

“The prices are all going down. The prices are all going down significantly, but they’re really going to go down as soon as this war ends. It’ll be very soon,” Trump said at the rally.

“And today, I’m announcing another measure that’s unprecedented in many years to cut costs. Agricultural vehicles, construction equipment and other off-road vehicles use what’s known as red dye diesel,” Trump said. “Do you know what it is? I don’t know what it is, but whatever it is, it’s supposed to be really good.”

Osborn, a Navy veteran and former union organizer, supported Trump’s decision but called it a “Band-Aid.” He has often highlighted Nebraskans’ struggles with high costs, though he has rarely criticized Trump directly by name in a state with many supporters.

“I’ve traveled the state and talked to thousands of Nebraskans and hard-working people — teachers, truck drivers, nurses, lunch ladies, etc.,” Osborn said during the debate. “I’ve talked to them and people are working hard. But there’s a common theme I find across the state: Times are getting tougher. Costs are getting too high. Health care is getting too expensive. Groceries are too expensive and families are falling behind.”

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

“People like us are tired of seeing people in rooms like this taking the lead,” Osborn said in a television commercial featuring men gathered in a smoke-filled room. “But Pocket Pete, he’s at home.”

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

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