Independent Candidate Dan Osborne Expands Campaign Team
Dan Osborne, an independent candidate emphasizing his centrist views, has brought on two experienced Democratic operatives to steer his campaign and a new political initiative aimed at attracting Nebraska’s conservative voters.
Osborne, who labels himself as a “lifetime independent” on his campaign page, officially announced his candidacy on Tuesday, seeking to unseat Republican Senator Pete Ricketts. This comes after his recent defeat to another Republican Senator, Deb Fischer. Alongside his main campaign team, he’s created a “certification committee” called Osborne Conservatives to bolster his bid.
Brandon Phillipczyk and James Wiestadt are the two operatives tasked with managing both the Osborne campaign and the finances for the Osborne Conservatives committee. Their backgrounds are rooted in Democratic politics, with Phillipczyk previously serving as operations director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Nevada campaign and overseeing national coordination operations for the Democratic National Committee until 2017.
Interestingly, Phillipczyk also has ties to positions in Florida and was involved in Mike Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign. Meanwhile, Wiestadt has a history of contributing to Democratic candidates through the Nebraska Democrats.
This situation highlights Osborne’s connections to Democratic circles, despite his claims of political independence. In his initial campaign last year, he downplayed any Democratic backing, asserting that he would not align with either major party if victorious.
However, national Democrats seem to view Osborne as a potential ally. The Senate Majority PAC, backed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, reportedly donated $3.8 million towards supporting Osborne’s campaign. Schumer suggested that Osborne might caucus with Democrats shortly before the election, but Osborne quickly distanced himself from that notion, stating, “I am truly independent.”
Additionally, Osborne is utilizing ActBlue, a well-known Democratic fundraising platform, to gather donations from Senate campaigns. He plans to present himself as a working-class mechanic contrasting with Ricketts’ wealth, even dubbing him “Wall Street Pete” in a campaign video. Ricketts’ team has already criticized Osborne, alleging that he relies on significant contributions from out-of-state Democratic donors and suggesting a potential partnership with Democrats if elected.
Osborne’s 2023 campaign launch was also supported by American democratic socialists, who aim to integrate “socialism into everyday life.” Leading up to the 2022 race, he formed the Osborne Conservatives as a “candidate recognition committee” and allocated $230,000 for advertising during the crucial final weeks.
