Independent Nebraska Senate Candidate Receives Funds From Democratic Donors

Independent Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn has continued to receive campaign funds from left-wing donors and political action committees even as he promises not to caucus with either major party if elected, according to a review of campaign finance records reported by Fox News.

Osborn received funds from ActBlue in addition to thousands of dollars from political action committees affiliated with Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., former Democratic Party member of Congress Ron Kind, and Missouri Democrat candidate Lucas Kunce's defunct 2024 Senate campaign.

He also received contributions from Democratic megadonor Wendy Schmidt, who according to campaign finance tracking website OpenSecrets has given nearly $10 million in support of Democrats but nothing to Republicans. A son of Bill and Melinda Gates donated $7,000 during the first quarter as did the founder and president of Stand Up America, which was established in 2016 to oppose Donald Trump.

The organization states that American democracy is rooted in a history of systemic racism, classism, and sexism which continues to this day.

A Fox News Digital review of Osborn's 2026 Q1 filings did not show any prominent Republican donors. Osborn does have an affiliated Conservatives for Osborn political action committee but it received no donations in Q1 of 2026 and had only $68 cash on hand.

In addition to receiving support from Washington Democrats, Democratic Party political action committees and the party's main fundraising arm, Osborn has spread donations in support of other Democrats running for Congress. He has been endorsed by leaders of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

The agency assisting with his digital campaign, Fight Agency, was founded by a group of Democratic Party strategists including consultants for Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign and the winning Senate bid for Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and Arizona Democratic Rep.

Ruben Gallego. The agency works with clients such as New York City socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Bernie Sanders and progressive Democrat Rep. Greg Casar.

An ad buying firm for Osborn's hybrid PAC, the Working Class Heroes Fund, has clients that include Jasmine Crockett, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and many other Democrats or Democrat-affiliated groups. Chairwoman of the Nebraska Republican Party Mary Jane Truemper told Fox News Digital that Osborn has been seen cozying up to elite Washington Democrats.

She stated that if his actions indicate anything it is that he will not keep his promise of not caucusing with either party. Fox News Digital reached out to the Osborn campaign about the donations but did not receive a response. Osborn has promised that if elected he will not caucus with either major party.

His campaign website states he will be uniquely positioned to bring together a majority to address issues including securing the border from illegal immigration. At a town hall last year Osborn reportedly told attendees that if his bid as an independent did not work out there is only one party he would caucus with.

" Ricketts is the current Republican incumbent U.S. Senator from Nebraska. National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Nick Puglia told Fox News Digital that Osborn is a fake independent backed by radical leftists. He said it is no surprise that Osborn’s campaign is being bankrolled by Democrats and ActBlue donors.

Osborn is running for a second election in a row to be a U.S. Senator after losing in 2024. He is running against Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb.