Fisher attacks Osborne, threatens Republicans to push Senate to continue
OMAHA — U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, who until recently had largely ignored her rivals, held a news conference Thursday to criticize former Omaha union leader Dan Osborne. Osborn has national support, posing a threat to a possible Republican majority in the Senate.
Supporters of Fisher, a two-term Republican from Lincoln whose family owns a ranch near Valentine, have joined her in touting her voting record on infrastructure investments, agricultural interests and defense.
“I’ve worked hard to earn the trust and support of Nebraskans,” Fisher said. “I have a record. I have a voting record. … Nebraskans right now are just figuring out who my opponent is and what my opponent stands for.
Dan Osborne, independent
Heineman and others worked to gain Republican base for Fisher
Gov. Dave Heineman, a longtime Fisher supporter, repeated lines from Fisher’s latest ad about Osborne — denying he is Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sander A supporter of Bernie Sanders, an independent who participates in caucuses with the Democratic Party.
Former Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman campaigned on behalf of Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska on Thursday, Oct. 3, in Omaha. (Aaron Sandford/Nebraska Examiner)
Osborne’s campaign said Fisher exaggerated his support for Sanders. Osborne’s camp said he welcomed Sanders’ support for organized labor during the negotiations he led during the 2021 Omaha Kellogg strike.
Heineman and Fisher said Osborne paints himself as an independent, but privately he is more likely to support Democrats and more likely to cost Republican-leaning states their seniority and influence in the Senate.
“I’ve known Deb Fisher for many years,” Heineman said. “She is a trustworthy Nebraskan. She has a conservative record. Her votes reflect Nebraska values. … Her opponent’s support comes from out-of-state Democrats, amounting to millions Dollar.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska.
Osborne campaign responds
Osborne’s campaign spokesman Dustin Wahl fired back, saying Fisher had been hiding records of “corporate sponsors” who helped her and reneged on her promise to retire after two terms. . He said she was scared and spreading lies.
Nebraska U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborne speaks during a news conference at a Chalco Hills area garage on Tuesday. (Aaron Sandford/Nebraska Examiner)
“That’s what career politicians do, that’s why Nebraskans are willing to accept someone who listens to them,” Wahl said.
Like many members of Congress, Fisher gets most of her fundraising from political action committees (PACs), and much of her support for PACs comes from corporate PACs. Osbourne not accepting money from corporate PACs is a big deal.
He received help in his campaign from outside groups that could accept donations from corporate political action committees. Both sides have secured millions of dollars in ad bookings in the increasingly competitive race.
Osborne criticized Fischer for siding with her party on the needs of Nebraskans. He has said Congress needs more staff to serve. He works as a steamfitter, has found time to run, and is currently being paid from his campaign funds.
Fisher says voters need clarification
Fisher criticized Osborne for not taking clear stances on issues that matter to Nebraskans, such as war in the Middle East. Her campaign has been running ads this week criticizing many of his comments on issues, including support for more health care subsidies.
She said he was wrong to discuss ending the Senate filibuster, which she said was critical to protecting minority rights. She said he needed “a civics lesson” about the risks of not taking sides in the Senate, as Osborne suggested he might do.
She said Nebraska has benefited from her work on key committees such as the Armed Services. Fisher said no party would send a nonpartisan member to the committee who refused to caucus with them.
Fisher also criticized Osborne for not revealing who he was supporting for president. She supported former President Donald Trump, who also expressed support for her, saying Nebraskans had more money and the world was a safer place with Trump.
Others tout Fisher’s record
Omaha City Councilman Brink Harding, a Republican, praised Fisher for his work on a bipartisan infrastructure bill that helped recoup $3 billion to replace aging roads, bridges, broadband and airports, including Puli Airport.
Harding believes Osborne’s union work put pressure on Kellogg and led the company to announce plant closures. The union said the strike was not a factor in the closure and that efforts were still underway to save jobs.
Brenda Macek, former president of the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, said Fisher viewed Nebraska agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy because it was.
Early voting has begun. Election Day is November 5th.
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