Dan Osborn Explained

Dan Osborn
Birth Date: March 29, 1975
Party:Independent
Spouse:Megan Osborn
Children:3

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

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

Military career

After high school, Osborn enlisted in the United States Navy. He served four years as a storekeeper aboard the aircraft carrier, completing two Western Pacific cruises and two Exercise RIMPAC cruises.

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.

Union leader

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

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

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 officially announced his candidacy as an independent candidate on October 5, 2023. 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.[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." 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." 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 Split Research poll, 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 Reports 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.[43] [44]

Osborn's campaign platform was considered unorthodox and populist. It focused on protecting small businesses, family farmers, and workers. 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] [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

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

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Weisman . Jonathan . February 18, 2024 . A Union Leader in Nebraska Tries to Leap to the Senate on Labor's Strength . February 18, 2024 . The New York Times.
  2. News: von Kampen . Todd . March 20, 2024 . Osborn bucks Democrats, GOP in independent Senate bid against Fischer . The North Platte Telegraph.
  3. Web site: Dan Osborn Independent for Senate . February 18, 2024.
  4. Web site: Goldstein . Luke . 2024-04-25 . The Newcomer From the Shop Floor . 2024-08-27 . The American Prospect . en-us.
  5. News: Hammel . Paul . September 21, 2023 . Omaha steamfitter/union leader Dan Osborn to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Deb. Fischer . February 18, 2024 . Nebraska Examiner.
  6. Web site: Bamer . Erin . September 22, 2023 . Independent candidate to challenge Deb Fischer for Senate seat . February 22, 2024 . The North Platte Telegraph.
  7. Web site: Tribune . Chris Zavadil/Fremont . 2014-01-16 . Osborn seeks full term on county board . 2024-10-19 . Fremont Tribune . en.
  8. Web site: Dan Osborn, Navy Veteran and Industrial Mechanic from Omaha, Announces U.S. Senate Run. September 21, 2023. The Bull. February 18, 2024.
  9. News: Scheiber . Noam . December 12, 2021 . Kellogg Workers Prolong Strike by Rejecting Contract Proposal . The New York Times.
  10. Web site: Thakker . Prem . 2023-12-04 . Shock Poll Shows Independent Nebraska Union Leader Beating Republican Senator . 2024-08-27 . The Intercept . en-US.
  11. News: Banden Heuvel . Katrina . October 8, 2024 . Meet Dan Osborn, the Heartland Populist From Nebraska Who's Running for the Senate . 2024-10-15 . The Nation . en . 0027-8378.
  12. Web site: Why Are Kellogg's Workers On Strike?. Errol. Schweizer. October 11, 2021. Forbes. February 18, 2024.
  13. Web site: 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'. Juliana. Kaplan. Business Insider. November 7, 2021. February 18, 2024.
  14. News: Rodrick. Stephan . Cereal Killers: How 80-Hour Weeks and a Caste System Pushed Kellogg's Workers to Strike . . November 30, 2021 . February 20, 2024.
  15. News: 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..
  16. Web site: 2021-10-18 . Kellogg's Workers Are Striking Against a "Two-Tiered" System of Workplace Inequality . 2024-10-15 . In These Times . en.
  17. News: 2024-01-10 . Kellogg Fired a Union Leader for Watching Netflix at Work. Now He's Running for Senate . 2024-08-27 . Bloomberg.com . en.
  18. Web site: Dan Osborn Was Fired for Watching Netflix at Work. Now He's Running for Senate. . Shanker. Deena . . January 10, 2024. February 18, 2024.
  19. Web site: Two Working-Class Candidates Launch U.S. Senate Runs. Early. Steve. December 6, 2023. Labor Notes. February 18, 2024.
  20. Plummer. Kate . Shock Poll Gives Challenger Lead in State Donald Trump Won by 19 Points . . December 5, 2023 . February 20, 2024.
  21. Web site: Early . Steve . Dan Osborn Challenges Nebraska's Political Establishment with a Blue-Collar Agenda . Barn Raising Media . March 13, 2024 . March 13, 2024.
  22. Web site: Dan Osborn turns in signatures to appear on ballot against U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer • Nebraska Examiner. Aaron. Sanderford. August 20, 2024.
  23. Web site: Schammert . Bill . 2024-10-06 . KETV Gets the Facts on Dan Osborn town hall . 2024-10-08 . KETV . en.
  24. News: Sanderford . Aaron . October 6, 2023 . Union leader Dan Osborn kicks off nonpartisan U.S. Senate bid in Omaha . February 18, 2024 . Nebraska Examiner.
  25. Web site: Sanderford . Aaron . 2024-06-01 . Dan Osborn might not face Democratic Senate write-in candidate • Nebraska Examiner . 2024-06-27 . Nebraska Examiner . en-US.
  26. Kirst . Seamus . July 28, 2024 . Can a Mechanic Running as an Independent Steal a Senate Seat From Republicans? . Rolling Stone.
  27. Web site: 'I know it sounds crazy': The new strategy against Republicans in deep red states - POLITICO. .
  28. Web site: Roarty . Alex . September 23, 2024 . A Candidate Who Wants to End the 'Two-Party Doom Loop' Appears to Be Getting Help From Dems . October 1, 2024 . NOTUS.
  29. Web site: Evans . Jordan Willow . September 13, 2024 . Reform Party Endorses Dan Osborn for Nebraska Senate Race . October 1, 2024 . Independent Political Report.
  30. Web site: ‘Not a Democrat’: Why Dems aren’t helping the independent in the Nebraska Senate race - POLITICO.
  31. Web site: Hoff . Maya Marchel . Nebraska steamfitter running for U.S. Senate against GOP incumbent is gaining traction . 2024-06-27 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  32. News: Sainato . Michael . 2024-04-29 . He led a strike at Kellogg's. Now he's aiming for a Nebraska Senate seat . 2024-10-09 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  33. Web site: Dan Osborn's unorthodox campaign challenges GOP stronghold in Nebraska's US Senate race | CNN Politics. Morgan Rimmer, Lauren. Fox. October 15, 2024. CNN.
  34. Web site: Becka . Tom . October 16, 2023 . This Is Not An Endorsement … But … . February 18, 2024 . Omaha Daily Record.
  35. Web site: G. Elliott Morris, Geoffrey Skelley . Republicans have a good shot at flipping the Senate . 2024-10-24 . ABC News . en.
  36. Web site: Adeosun . Adeola . 2024-09-01 . GOP Senate incumbent gets worrying sign in state Trump won by 19 points . 2024-09-05 . Newsweek . en.
  37. News: Faris . David . 2024-09-03 . Could Nebraska Cost Republicans the Senate? . 2024-09-05 . Slate . en-US . 1091-2339.
  38. Web site: Sanderford . Aaron . 2024-09-04 . Fischer and Osborn might be in tight race, as both tout union endorsements • Nebraska Examiner . 2024-09-07 . Nebraska Examiner . en-US.
  39. Web site: Writer . Dan Crisler World-Herald Staff . 2024-10-13 . US Sen. Deb Fischer's race with Dan Osborn dubbed the election year's 'most surprising' . 2024-10-15 . Omaha World-Herald . en.
  40. Web site: Fox . Morgan Rimmer, Lauren . 2024-10-15 . Dan Osborn's unorthodox campaign challenges GOP stronghold in Nebraska's US Senate race CNN Politics . 2024-10-24 . CNN . en.
  41. News: A Sleeper Senate Race Tightens in Nebraska as an Independent Gains . The New York Times.
  42. News: Weisman . Jonathan . Baker . Camille . October 28, 2024 . Republicans Cling to Slim Leads in Nebraska and Texas Senate Races . October 30, 2024 . The New York Times.
  43. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/elections/nebraska-senate-fischer-osborn.html
  44. Web site: Nebraska U.S. Senate Election Results 2024. November 5, 2024. NYTimes.com.
  45. News: Klinger . Sarah . October 6, 2024 . Commitment 2024: KETV hosts town hall with U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn . 9 October 2024 . KETV Omaha.
  46. News: Swett . William . February 21, 2024 . "They want us divided"... . February 21, 2024 . York News-Times.
  47. Web site: Weigel . David . 'There's no one like me in the Senate': Union leader Dan Osborn looks for a Nebraska upset .
  48. Web site: Platform . 2024-10-24 . Dan Osborn for U.S. Senate . en-US.
  49. Web site: Zhou . Li . 2024-10-29 . Could Republicans really lose a Senate race in Nebraska? . 2024-10-30 . Vox . en-US.
  50. News: More Democrats fear the party’s image isn’t just damaged – it’s broken . Politico.
  51. Web site: Dan Osborn's Biography. Vote Smart. October 1, 2024.
  52. Web site: Osborn . Dan . 2024-09-24 . I'm a Catholic. We h… . 2024-10-02 . r/Nebraska.

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