Overview

• Osborn officially launched his independent bid on July 8 to challenge Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts for a full term
• He emphasized his working-class background as an industrial mechanic and military veteran to draw a contrast with Ricketts’ billionaire family wealth
• Osborn pledged that he would not caucus with either party if elected and would sit apart to maintain his independence
• Republican strategists plan to deploy tactics from Osborn’s 2024 campaign to portray him as a Democrat in disguise
• President Trump’s endorsement of Ricketts underscores the high stakes for control of the narrowly divided Senate