Republican Pete Ricketts wins tighter-than-expected Nebraska Senate race
GOP Senator Pete Ricketts defeated independent Dan Osborn despite a competitive Nebraska Senate race.
Pete Ricketts won re-election to the US Senate from Nebraska despite facing a closer contest than expected. Independent candidate Dan Osborn mounted a serious challenge.
Osborn was a pipe fitter and Navy veteran. He had backing from Nebraska's Democratic Party after the official Democratic nominee withdrew.
Ricketts attacked Osborn as a secret Democrat. He warned voters that Osborn would give control of the Senate to Democrats.
The race tightened amid voter frustration over high costs. War with Iran and Trump's tariffs drove up diesel prices.
Trump's tariffs hit farmers hard. Osborn stressed he would not caucus with either party and highlighted the cost-of-living crisis.
He lost by seven points in his previous Senate bid two years ago.
- 20 points in Nebraska
- Trump's 2024 margin
- 25 percentage points
- Ricketts' prior election margin
- 7 points to Deb Fischer
- Osborn's prior loss margin
- Pipe fitter and Navy veteran
- Osborn's background
Why it mattersA Republican comfortably held a safe seat. The race's closeness showed voter worry about costs.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though the outcome shapes US Senate composition and could influence trade policy affecting Australian exporters.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
