President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday evening. This rally is part of a campaign travel swing that has included stops in several Republican-leaning states. Trump has previously held rallies in Alabama, Oklahoma, and Ohio, and he has won the statewide vote in Nebraska by approximately 20 points in each of the last three elections. In the 2020 and 2024 elections, the Democratic candidate received one electoral college vote from Nebraska due to the state's method of splitting electoral college votes.
In the upcoming Senate race, incumbent Senator Pete Ricketts, who was first elected in a special election in 2024 after serving as Nebraska's governor, is facing independent candidate Dan Osborn. Osborn, a union steamfitter, previously ran a competitive race against Republican Senator Deb Fischer in 2024. Early in-person voting in Nebraska begins on the same day as the rally.
Ricketts has stated that he is the best candidate to continue serving Nebraska, while alleging that Osborn is secretly aligned with Democrats. There is no Democrat on the ballot for Senate in Nebraska, as the candidate who won the primary withdrew. Osborn has received support from Democrats as one of the few independent candidates in red states this election cycle, although he has claimed he will not caucus with either party.
Ricketts has referred to Osborn as "Democrat Dan," suggesting that Osborn is misleading voters about his political alignment. Ricketts has also faced scrutiny over a recent advertisement that highlighted his decision to pardon a man who had been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman decades ago. Ricketts defended his actions, stating that he has always prioritized the safety of Nebraskans.
Osborn has positioned himself as an independent voice for Nebraska, emphasizing the need for change. He recently apologized for comments made during a campaign event where he criticized hypothetical Trump voters, claiming he was attempting to discuss the anger that Trump has tapped into.
Trump has publicly supported Ricketts, stating in a video that Ricketts will always prioritize Nebraska and America, while criticizing Osborn as someone who will say anything to win.
In addition to the Senate race, there is a significant U.S. House race in Nebraska. The rally will not take place in the congressional district where the House race is most competitive. Grand Island is located in the 3rd District, which is expected to remain Republican-held. However, the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Omaha, is a key target for Democrats. Incumbent Republican Representative Don Bacon is retiring, and the race features Republican Brinker Harding and Democrat Denise Powell.
Ricketts has confirmed he will attend the rally and has expressed enthusiasm about discussing the collaborative efforts between Senate Republicans and Trump to benefit Nebraskans. Harding, who has received Trump's endorsement, will not attend the rally due to prior commitments. The rising costs of fertilizer and fuel, influenced by the war with Iran, have become significant issues in Nebraska, along with the administration's temporary lift on beef tariffs, which both Ricketts and Osborn have criticized.