By Joan von Kampen | Editor-in-chief
The Nebraska Senate race’s heated rhetoric continued at Tuesday’s debate, as incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts and challenger Dan Osborn traded familiar barbs and sparred over topics including inflation, immigration and campaign finances.
Nonpartisan Senate candidate Dan Osborn, left, and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., right. (Candidate photos courtesy of respective campaigns | U.S. Capitol photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
SENATE DEBATE
By Erin Bamer
U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and independent challenger Dan Osborn met Tuesday for the first debate at the Nebraska State Fair since 2018.
Ricketts referred to challenger Osborn as “Democrat Dan” so many times that Osborn joked there should be a “third podium” for him. Each candidate accused the other of benefiting from “dark money.”
While differing on several issues, they agreed on a few, including opposing the president’s 90-day tariff waiver for imported ground beef.
Former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha, newly registered member of the America First Party, talks with reporters outside the Nebraska Secretary of State's Election Division after filing paperwork to be the gubernatorial candidate for the new political party on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Lincoln. (Photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
Former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom has found the “pirate ship” he was seeking to revive his bid for Nebraska governor as he hoists a new flag for the America First Party.
Lindstrom stuck with his previous running mate — Mike Picard of Omaha, a Navy veteran and club director and head coach of ENVY Volleyball Club.
Former legislative candidate Robin Richards of Ralston led creation of the Nebraska Working People Party. (Photos courtesy of Robin Richards for Nebraska campaign and the Nebraska Working People Party | Nebraska Capitol photo by Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)
ELECTION 2026
By Zach Wendling
Robin Richards, the chair of the new Nebraska Working People Party, will run for U.S. Senate herself. Her party also qualified two other candidates for the November election.
Former Dunbar state Sen. Julie Slama speaks at the Capitol about the Fairness for Girls’ ballot measure on June 30, 2026. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)
ON THE BALLOT
By Juan Salinas II
The Nebraska Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge from a Nebraska voter about the measure that would let Nebraska voters decide whether to constitutionally limit sports participation in public K-12 schools and colleges to teams of biologically male, female or coed students. With the legal challenge gone, the measure will appear on the November ballot.
D.C. BUREAU
By Jennifer Shutt
The U.S. House approved a short-term government funding bill Tuesday that would avoid a shutdown this fall once President Donald Trump signs it.
The stopgap spending bill, which the Senate approved in early August, would provide mostly flat funding for federal departments and agencies to keep up and running from the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1 through Dec. 11.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
COMMENTARY
OPINION: ‘Summery’ check in with voters| George Ayoub
EDITOR'S CHOICE
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