Dem
47
GOP
53
Quick, without looking back, was Nebraska on the list of states the SLF is already advertising in? The answer is "yes." How come? Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE), son of billionaire Joe Ricketts, who founded TD Ameritrade, was appointed to a Senate vacancy in Jan. 2023. In 2024, he won a special election to fill out the rest of the term of Ben Sasse. Next year he is going for a full term. His approval rating is 38%. Now you understand why the SLF is already advertising in Nebraska.
In addition, Ricketts has another problem. In 2024, independent Dan Osborn, a former union leader, ran for the Senate against Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE). He got 47% of the vote. He is back now and running against Ricketts. Osborn is much better known now and will probably get much more money from out of state this time. Combined with Ricketts' low approval rating, the SLF sees a potential problem in the Cornhusker State. Osborn, a mechanic by trade, is going to frame the race as an ordinary working guy vs. the son of a billionaire.
With Trump not on the ticket next year, it is possible that some marginal Republicans won't bother to vote this time, giving Osborn a shot at it. The Democrats are surely going to refrain from running a candidate and will tell their voters to support Osborn. Osborn has said he will not caucus with either party. If the Republicans end up with 49 seats and the Democrats get 50 seats and Osborn wins, he will have enormous power. Nebraska voters might just like that idea. (V)