Dan Osborn and Sen. Pete Ricketts kick off campaigns, sparking midterm battle

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Dan Osborn kicked off his campaign in Lincoln on Monday night as the midterm battle begins.

Despite the election being more than a year away, Osborn and his competitor, Sen. Pete Ricketts, are getting a head start.

The candidates are hitting the campaign trail, vying for a seat on the U.S. Senate.

“We’re not represented in our own government, and I’m here to change that,” Osborn said in front of a packed room.

Osborn is running as an Independent candidate, which he said could be a positive thing for Nebraskans.

“The message is spreading unity right now in a time of division and having Americans come together,” Osborn said.

Incumbent Republican candidate Ricketts held his own campaign kickoff in Omaha on Sunday.

In an interview with Channel 8 on Monday, he said it’s time to remind voters why he’s the best option for Nebraska.

“I’ve got a record here of over 10 years of serving the people of Nebraska in elected office,” Ricketts said. “When I was governor, we delivered all of those things, and I’m delivering them now in Washington, D.C. So Nebraskans can trust me, they know me.”

He’s prioritizing cutting government spending and keeping money in the pockets of Nebraskans.

On the other side, Osborn said he would bring a unique view to the table.

He said he’ll fight for the working middle class.

“I’m going to approach policies and issues based off of my life experiences of serving this country in the navy and national guard,” Osborn said.

He also knows “what it’s like to struggle, what it’s like to put Christmas on a credit card,” and said he would use that to make decisions in Congress.

Ricketts said with many months left to go before the election, he’s ready to start his reelection campaign strong.

“I’m going to go out there and work for every vote,” he said.

The midterm general election is set for Nov. 3, 2026.

You can watch Channel 8’s coverage of Rickett’s campaign launch on Sunday below: