Staff Reports
Dan Osborn likes to call himself an independent. But recent reporting shows the line between “independent” and “Democrat-backed” has gotten a lot blurrier — and a little uglier. An online progressive forum, Democratic Underground, quietly ran an ActBlue fundraiser that funneled roughly $8.8K toward an Osborn campaign page. That’s the new development, and it matters for Nebraska voters who were told they were getting a third-way candidate, not another vehicle for liberal money and activists.
What actually happened: Democratic Underground’s ActBlue push
Here’s the short version: Democratic Underground made an exception to its usual “Support Democrats” rule and promoted an ActBlue page labeled “Democratic Underground for Dan Osborn U.S. Senate Nebraska.” The drive had climbed close to a $9,000 goal, with about $8,800 raised on the page. The ActBlue form embedded Osborn’s campaign video and materials, and forum posts openly urged members to chip in.
Independent in name only — and why that should worry voters
Osborn is running as an independent against Sen. Pete Ricketts, but this isn’t the first time Democrats have funneled money and muscle into his races. State party leaders have signaled comfort with him. Large shares of Osborn’s fundraising already come through ActBlue and from out-of-state donors. Voters deserve to know whether this is truly an independent candidacy or a Democratic‑aligned operation wrapped in “independent” packaging.
Disturbing rhetoric on the forum that promoted him
Even more troubling than the fundraising mechanics are the posts on Democratic Underground that critics point to — threads that include violent, crude, and celebratory language about political figures, including reactions to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Those posts belong to forum users, not necessarily the site’s leadership, but the administrators did allow a direct fundraising push there. That raises obvious questions about judgment and the kind of activists doing the pushing.
Questions voters and reporters should press now
Simple, direct questions need answers: Did the Osborn campaign coordinate with Democratic Underground or authorize the ActBlue page? Who received the funds and when did they reach Osborn’s campaign account? Will Nebraska Democrats admit any formal involvement beyond tacit approval? Voters in Nebraska should demand transparency — and Senator Ricketts’ campaign should be ready to remind voters who’s really behind the “independent” curtain. If Osborn wants the independent label, he should start acting like it — and stop relying on partisan infrastructure that raises real questions about where his loyalties lie.
