Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., went on offense against independent opponent Dan Osborn in a debate Tuesday night, repeatedly calling him “Democrat Dan” throughout their meeting and associating his campaign with democratic socialists.
\n\nThe debate will be the first of many across the country over the next two months, as Democrats and Republicans battle for control of the Senate. Deep-red Nebraska is not usually home to nationally watched campaigns, but Osborn’s one-on-one contest with Ricketts could be closer than typical partisan contests in the state.
\n\nThis debate, which took place at the Nebraska State Fair, may be the only clash between the two candidates with nine weeks to go until Election Day.
\n\nOsborn spent most of the debate distancing himself from both parties, but he was also careful not to completely cut ties with either side.
\n\nThe Democratic nominee in the Senate race, Cindy Burbank, dropped out earlier this summer, and the state Democratic Party chair said she was supporting Osborn. Osborn previously ran in 2024 and lost to GOP Sen. Deb Fischer by less than 7 points even as Trump carried the state by by 20 points.
\n\n“I don’t need to caucus with either party,” Osborn said. “Nobody’s got a…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business