Dan Osborn, the independent candidate challenging Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts in Nebraska, was recorded stating that he intends to win the election by moderating his public message before governing according to his private policy positions. The audio, obtained by Townhall and reported by the Daily Wire, captures Osborn speaking after a May 25 town hall in South Omaha, where he told a group that he could not publicly support certain progressive stances on LGBTQ rights and immigration without losing the election. "I can go and I can be the voice for LGBTQ and immigration and all of these issues. Then I lose the election," Osborn said in the recording. "It feels good in the moment. At the end of the day, I’m gonna win this election. And then I’ll be the senator for six years and everybody else can f-off."
The remarks have intensified scrutiny of Osborn’s campaign strategy, which presents him as a moderate independent capable of bridging the political divide in a state that leans Republican. The recording emerged as recent polling shows a competitive race, with conflicting data on whether Osborn or Ricketts holds the advantage. Osborn’s campaign has not publicly repudiated the latest recording, though previous leaks have led to apologies and clarifications regarding his views on Trump supporters and policy specifics.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican critics and conservative media outlets argue the recording exposes a discrepancy between Osborn’s campaign promises and his intended governance. The audio features Osborn discussing the electoral math required to win, noting that Republicans make up roughly half of the Nebraska electorate and that he needs 10% to 15% of their votes. He stated, "How am I going to do that by f—ing saying, 'Oh, I love trans people, and they should be able to play in sports!'" In another segment, Osborn indicated he avoided publicly stating a desire to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement because he was being recorded, saying, "I have people recording me so I can’t say I want to abolish ICE, I can’t say those words. I’ll be f—ed." At the town hall, Osborn declined to sign a petition supporting a constitutional amendment to keep biological males from competing in girls' sports, describing the measure as "rooted in hate."
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic leaders in Nebraska have formally endorsed Osborn, viewing his independent status as a viable path to unseating Ricketts. Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, stated in 2025 that Democrats, independents, and Republicans could form a coalition behind Osborn. During a CNN interview with Dana Bash, Osborn acknowledged aligning with Democrats on several key issues, including codifying Roe v. Wade, opposing the working-family tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill, and raising taxes on wealthy Americans. "I agree. I think a good idea is a good idea. Doesn't matter to me where it comes from," Osborn said, noting his background as a lifelong independent from a conservative household.
What the Numbers Show
Polling data released in mid-September reflects a tight contest with significant variance. A SurveyUSA poll released on September 14 showed Osborn leading Ricketts 46% to 42%. However, a Wedgewood Polls survey released two days later showed Ricketts ahead 52% to 48%. Most major political forecasters currently rate the Nebraska Senate race as "Likely" or "Lean" Republican. Osborn’s campaign website describes him as "unbeholden to party bosses," while a pro-Osborn political action committee has advertised him as an independent who will "stand up to liberal Democrats" on issues including gun rights, border security, and keeping boys out of girls’ sports. Additionally, earlier audio leaked by the Omaha World-Herald captured Osborn referring to hypothetical Trump supporters as "Billy Bob" and suggesting Trump convinced them they were on the "winning team" because "their lives probably suck so f***ing bad." Osborn confirmed the voice was likely his, apologized for the remarks, and stated he understood why Trump attracted voters who felt disenfranchised.
The Bottom Line
The release of the recording creates a strategic dilemma for Osborn, who must balance his endorsement by the Democratic Party with his campaign identity as an independent outsider. The audio suggests a deliberate choice to withhold certain progressive policy commitments during the campaign to appeal to moderate Republicans and independents in a state that voted for Donald Trump in 2024. With the election scheduled for November 3, both campaigns will likely use these recordings to define the narrative: Democrats may frame the comments as evidence of Osborn’s commitment to unpopular progressive causes once elected, while Republicans will present them as proof of dishonesty. The conflicting poll numbers indicate that voter sentiment remains unsettled, making the interpretation of Osborn’s true governance intentions a central factor in the final weeks of the race.