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Dan Osborn
Personal details
Born (1975-03-29) March 29, 1975 (age 49)
Political partyIndependent
SpouseMegan Osborn
Children3
WebsiteOfficial website
Military service
Branch/service
UnitUSS Constellation (CV-64)

Dan Osborn (born March 29, 1975) is a U.S. Navy veteran, industrial mechanic, former labor union leader and independent politician.

Osborn served in the Nebraska Army National Guard before working at Kellogg's Omaha plant. He eventually became president of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G and led the strike at Kellogg's Omaha plant in 2021.

Osborn ran as an independent candidate in the regular 2024 United States Senate election in Nebraska.[1] He drew attention for his unorthodox platform and the unusually high support for an independent in what is traditionally a strongly Republican or red state. Osborn's performance was the best ever for an independent candidate in a Nebraska Senate race.

Early life

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Dan Osborn was born on March 29, 1975.[2] His mother was a seamstress,[3] and his father, Gary, worked for Union Pacific Railroad, loading cargo;[4] after retiring, he also served as a Republican Dodge County Commissioner.[5][6][7]

When Osborn was seven, his family moved to Omaha after his father was transferred with Union Pacific.[3] After an accident, Osborn's father was moved to the railroad company's management side and transferred out of state.[4] Osborn stayed in Omaha to finish high school and lived on his own starting at age 16, paying rent with odd jobs.[4] He graduated from Roncalli Catholic High School in 1994.[3][8]

Military career

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After high school, Osborn enlisted in the United States Navy. He served four years as a storekeeper aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV-64), completing two Western Pacific cruises and two Exercise RIMPAC cruises.[8]

Osborn later joined the Nebraska Army National Guard. He attended the 19K Tanker school at the Idaho Army National Guard and served in the Tennessee National Guard.[3]

Union leader

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In 2004, Osborn began working as an industrial mechanic at the Kellogg's Omaha plant, fixing the factory's machines.[9][10] He eventually became president of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G.[11][12][13] He rose to national prominence when he led the 2021 Kellogg's strike at the plant.[9][14][15][16] The strike, which was prompted by a two-tier system of pay, and included other plants across the country, lasted 77 days.[1][12]

Kellogg's later fired Osborn.[17] He turned to boiler maintenance and repair work at Boys Town and became a member of Steamfitters and Plumbers Local 464.[18]

2024 U.S. Senate candidacy

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Both incumbent Republican U.S. Senators from Nebraska ran for reelection in 2024, one in a special election and the other in a regular election. Osborn ran as an independent in the latter race against the incumbent, Deb Fischer, who had no Democratic challenger. Osborn said he can represent working and middle-class constituencies better than wealthy, establishment politicians.[19]

Osborn greeting supporters in Omaha, May 2024

Osborn officially announced his candidacy as an independent candidate on October 5, 2023.[8] By March 2024, he had collected 4,000 signatures from Nebraska voters, enough to be eligible for the November 2024 ballot. [20][21] In August he submitted more than 12,000, guaranteeing his place on the ballot.[22]

Osborn has been registered as nonpartisan since registering to vote in 2004.[23] Although Democrats chose not to run a candidate in the Senate election, Osborn declined their endorsement.[1][24] The state Democratic Party considered running a write-in candidate,[25] accusing Osborn of misleading them about his intentions, but Osborn said he had always been clear that he would not accept endorsements from any political party.[26] Osborn wanted to form an independent caucus in the Senate rather than caucus with either party.[27] He has called the current system a "two-party doom loop".[28] The Reform Party of the United States endorsed him in September 2024.[29] Senate Democrats have not engaged with or helped Osborn's campaign.[30]

Osborn raised more campaign funds, mostly small-dollar donations, than any independent candidate in Nebraska's history.[31] The last independent to win a Senate seat in Nebraska was progressive George Norris in 1936.[32]

Asked about his prospects in the race by the New York Times, Osborn said: "I've gone up against a major American corporation. I stood up for what I thought was right, and I won."[1] Of the major candidates in the 2024 United States presidential election he said (before Joe Biden withdrew): "I think they're both too old. I think they're both incompetent. There's a good chance I won't vote for president."[1] He later said he does intend to vote for one of the two major-party candidates.[33]

The race between Osborn and Fischer was unusually competitive for Nebraska, which traditionally is a safe Republican Senate seat,[34][35] and potentially important in determining partisan control of the Senate.[36][37] In an August 2024 SurveyUSA poll sponsored by Split Ticket, Fischer held a narrow lead of 39% to 38% over Osborn, within the margin of error, while 23% of voters were undecided. The poll led the Nebraska Examiner to call the election a tight race.[38] The Cook Political Report's Senate and governor's editor said: "This is probably the most surprising race of the cycle. [Osborn] is such a different type of politician. He's a blue-collar worker—a mechanic. I think Fischer is a lower-profile senator who isn't as well known."[39] Various polls showed both of them leading and the race extremely tight.[40][41] An October 28 New York Times/Siena College poll showed Osborn two points behind Fischer, well within the margin of error.[42] Fischer won the race, 53% to 47%.[43][44]

Osborn's campaign platform was considered unorthodox and populist.[40] It focused on protecting small businesses, family farmers, and workers.[19] His policy positions included raising the national minimum wage; lowering the tax rate for small businesses and overtime work; increasing border security and building the border wall to reduce illegal immigration; reforming the immigration system and exploring ways to legalize some long-term undocumented workers; legalizing and taxing marijuana; improving railroad safety; guaranteeing access to abortion within the limits set by Roe v. Wade; facilitating union organizing; and protecting gun rights. Osborn supports a "libertarian approach" to hot-button issues and said that government should be kept out of private lives. He supports the right-to-repair of consumer goods such as cars and electronics and supports moving the full retirement age for Social Security benefits back to 65.[45][46][47][48][41][49]

Politico reported that the Democrats, after their losses in the 2024 elections, are studying Osborn's unusually competitive campaign as they rebuild their party and its image.[50]

Personal life

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Osborn lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with his wife, Megan; they have three children.[51] He is Catholic.[52]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Weisman, Jonathan (February 18, 2024). "A Union Leader in Nebraska Tries to Leap to the Senate on Labor's Strength". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  2. ^ von Kampen, Todd (March 20, 2024). "Osborn bucks Democrats, GOP in independent Senate bid against Fischer". The North Platte Telegraph.
  3. ^ a b c d "Dan Osborn Independent for Senate". Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Goldstein, Luke (April 25, 2024). "The Newcomer From the Shop Floor". The American Prospect. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Hammel, Paul (September 21, 2023). "Omaha steamfitter/union leader Dan Osborn to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Deb. Fischer". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  6. ^ Bamer, Erin (September 22, 2023). "Independent candidate to challenge Deb Fischer for Senate seat". The North Platte Telegraph. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  7. ^ Tribune, Chris Zavadil/Fremont (January 16, 2014). "Osborn seeks full term on county board". Fremont Tribune. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c "Dan Osborn, Navy Veteran and Industrial Mechanic from Omaha, Announces U.S. Senate Run". The Bull. September 21, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Schweizer, Errol (October 11, 2021). "Why Are Kellogg's Workers On Strike?". Forbes. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  10. ^ Scheiber, Noam (December 12, 2021). "Kellogg Workers Prolong Strike by Rejecting Contract Proposal". The New York Times.
  11. ^ Thakker, Prem (December 4, 2023). "Shock Poll Shows Independent Nebraska Union Leader Beating Republican Senator". The Intercept. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "Kellogg's Workers Are Striking Against a "Two-Tiered" System of Workplace Inequality". In These Times. October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  13. ^ Banden Heuvel, Katrina (October 8, 2024). "Meet Dan Osborn, the Heartland Populist From Nebraska Who's Running for the Senate". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  14. ^ Kaplan, Juliana (November 7, 2021). "Meet the 18-year Kellogg's veteran who's leading workers in a month-long strike that's still going: 'What's at stake here is the American middle class'". Business Insider. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  15. ^ Rodrick, Stephan (November 30, 2021). "Cereal Killers: How 80-Hour Weeks and a Caste System Pushed Kellogg's Workers to Strike". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  16. ^ Svitek, Patrick (October 4, 2024). "In Nebraska, independent Senate candidate gives GOP a competitive race". The Washington Post. Osborn gained national prominence after he led the 2021 strike as president of the local Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union.
  17. ^ "Kellogg Fired a Union Leader for Watching Netflix at Work. Now He's Running for Senate". Bloomberg.com. January 10, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  18. ^ Shanker, Deena (January 10, 2024). "Dan Osborn Was Fired for Watching Netflix at Work. Now He's Running for Senate". BNN Bloomberg. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Early, Steve (December 6, 2023). "Two Working-Class Candidates Launch U.S. Senate Runs". Labor Notes. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  20. ^ Plummer, Kate (December 5, 2023). "Shock Poll Gives Challenger Lead in State Donald Trump Won by 19 Points". TIME. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  21. ^ Early, Steve (March 13, 2024). "Dan Osborn Challenges Nebraska's Political Establishment with a Blue-Collar Agenda". Barn Raising Media. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  22. ^ Sanderford, Aaron (August 20, 2024). "Dan Osborn turns in signatures to appear on ballot against U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer • Nebraska Examiner".
  23. ^ Schammert, Bill (October 6, 2024). "KETV Gets the Facts on Dan Osborn town hall". KETV. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  24. ^ Sanderford, Aaron (October 6, 2023). "Union leader Dan Osborn kicks off nonpartisan U.S. Senate bid in Omaha". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Sanderford, Aaron (June 1, 2024). "Dan Osborn might not face Democratic Senate write-in candidate • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  26. ^ Kirst, Seamus (July 28, 2024). "Can a Mechanic Running as an Independent Steal a Senate Seat From Republicans?". Rolling Stone.
  27. ^ "'I know it sounds crazy': The new strategy against Republicans in deep red states - POLITICO". Politico.
  28. ^ Roarty, Alex (September 23, 2024). "A Candidate Who Wants to End the 'Two-Party Doom Loop' Appears to Be Getting Help From Dems". NOTUS. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  29. ^ Evans, Jordan Willow (September 13, 2024). "Reform Party Endorses Dan Osborn for Nebraska Senate Race". Independent Political Report. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  30. ^ "'Not a Democrat': Why Dems aren't helping the independent in the Nebraska Senate race - POLITICO".
  31. ^ Hoff, Maya Marchel. "Nebraska steamfitter running for U.S. Senate against GOP incumbent is gaining traction". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  32. ^ Sainato, Michael (April 29, 2024). "He led a strike at Kellogg's. Now he's aiming for a Nebraska Senate seat". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  33. ^ Fox, Morgan Rimmer, Lauren (October 15, 2024). "Dan Osborn's unorthodox campaign challenges GOP stronghold in Nebraska's US Senate race | CNN Politics". CNN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  34. ^ Becka, Tom (October 16, 2023). "This Is Not An Endorsement … But …". Omaha Daily Record. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  35. ^ G. Elliott Morris, Geoffrey Skelley. "Republicans have a good shot at flipping the Senate". ABC News. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  36. ^ Adeosun, Adeola (September 1, 2024). "GOP Senate incumbent gets worrying sign in state Trump won by 19 points". Newsweek. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  37. ^ Faris, David (September 3, 2024). "Could Nebraska Cost Republicans the Senate?". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  38. ^ Sanderford, Aaron (September 4, 2024). "Fischer and Osborn might be in tight race, as both tout union endorsements • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  39. ^ Writer, Dan Crisler World-Herald Staff (October 13, 2024). "US Sen. Deb Fischer's race with Dan Osborn dubbed the election year's 'most surprising'". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  40. ^ a b Fox, Morgan Rimmer, Lauren (October 15, 2024). "Dan Osborn's unorthodox campaign challenges GOP stronghold in Nebraska's US Senate race | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved October 24, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ a b "A Sleeper Senate Race Tightens in Nebraska as an Independent Gains". The New York Times.
  42. ^ Weisman, Jonathan; Baker, Camille (October 28, 2024). "Republicans Cling to Slim Leads in Nebraska and Texas Senate Races". The New York Times. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  43. ^ "Fischer Wins in Nebraska, Giving Republicans Enough Seats for a Majority". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024.
  44. ^ "Official Results" (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  45. ^ Klinger, Sarah (October 6, 2024). "Commitment 2024: KETV hosts town hall with U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn". KETV Omaha. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  46. ^ Swett, William (February 21, 2024). ""They want us divided"..." York News-Times. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  47. ^ Weigel, David. "'There's no one like me in the Senate': Union leader Dan Osborn looks for a Nebraska upset".
  48. ^ "Platform". Dan Osborn for U.S. Senate. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  49. ^ Zhou, Li (October 29, 2024). "Could Republicans really lose a Senate race in Nebraska?". Vox. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  50. ^ "More Democrats fear the party's image isn't just damaged – it's broken". Politico.
  51. ^ "Dan Osborn's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  52. ^ Osborn, Dan (September 24, 2024). "I'm a Catholic. We h…". r/Nebraska. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
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