Wikipedia

Dan Osborn

Dan Osborn is a U.S. Navy veteran, steamfitter, industrial mechanic, labor union leader and an independent politician.

Dan Osborn
Osborn in 2023
Personal details
Born1975 (age 48–49)
Political party
SpouseMegan Osborn
Children3
Military service
Branch/service
UnitUSS Constellation (CV-64)

As president of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G, he led the strike at Kellogg's Omaha plant in 2021. He is running as an independent candidate in the regular 2024 United States Senate election in Nebraska.[1]

Early life and family

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Osborn was born in 1975.[1][2] His mother was a seamstress,[3] and his father worked for Union Pacific Railroad loading cargo.[2] When he was seven his father was transferred to Omaha where he was raised.[3] His father, Gary, was once Dodge County Commissioner.[4]

After an accident, his father was switched over to the management side of the railroad company and was transferred out of state.[2] Osborn stayed in Omaha to finish up high school and lived from 16 on his own paying for rent with different odd jobs.[2] He graduated from Roncalli Catholic High School in 1994.[5]

Osborn and his wife Megan have three children.[3][1]

Military career

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Osborn was enlisted in the United States Navy. He served for four years as storekeeper (SK) aboard the USS Constellation (CV-64) aircraft carrier, completing two Western Pacific cruises and two Exercise RIMPAC cruises.[5]

He later joined the Nebraska Army National Guard. He attended the 19K Tanker school at the Idaho Army National Guard and served in the Tennessee National Guard.[3]

Union leader

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Osborn started working as an industrial mechanic at the Kellogg's Omaha plant in 2004.[6] He eventually became president of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G.[7]

He rose to national prominence when he led the 2021 Kellogg's strike at the plant in 2021.[6][8][9] The strike, which was prompted by a two-tier system of pay and included other plants across the United States, lasted 77 days.[1]

Osborn was later fired by Kellogg's.[10] He is employed doing boiler maintenance and repair work at Boys Town and is a member of Steamfitters and Plumbers Local 464.[11]

2024 U.S. Senate candidacy

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Osborn
Independent for U.S. Senate
Campaign2024 U.S. Senate election in Nebraska
CandidateDan Osborn
AffiliationIndependent
AnnouncedOctober 5, 2023
HeadquartersOmaha, Nebraska
ReceiptsUS$0.4
Website
osbornforsenate.com/meet-dan/

Nebraska has a dominant-party system favouring Republicans.[12][13] There are two elections for U.S. Senator from Nebraska in 2024: the special election and the regular election. Osborn is running in the latter, in which there will likely be no Democratic challenger, and claims he can represent working and middle-class constituencies better than wealthy, establishment politicians.[13][14]

 
Osborn greeting supporters in Omaha, May 2024

He officially announced his candidacy as an independent on October 5, 2023. He garnered the 4,000 signatures from Nebraska voters for eligibility by March 2024.[1][5][15][16][17] In August he submitted more than 12,000, securing his place on the ballot.[18] Osborn had been a registered Democrat until 2016.[1] Democrats elected not to run a candidate in the race, and Osborn said he would not seek their endorsement.[1][19][20][21] Jane Kleeb, Democratic state party Chair, said that the party considered running a write in candidate, though this effort seemed to stall.[21] While Democrats claimed he had led them on, he says he was clear about not accepting endorsements from any political party.[22]

A poll taken by Change Research in December 2023 showed Osborn with a slight lead over the incumbent, Deb Fischer.[1][15][23] Observers have questioned methodology and results of the poll.[24]

Osborn says his priorities are protecting small businesses, family farmers and workers.[13] He supports raising the national minimum wage and a lower tax rate on overtime work; guaranteeing access to abortion; facilitating union organizing; protecting gun rights; securing U.S. borders and exploring ways to legalize some undocumented workers; legalizing and taxing marijuana; and improved railroad safety. He has said he supports a "libertarian approach" to hot-button issues and that government should be kept out of private lives. He believes in a "right-to-repair" of consumer goods such as cars and electronics.[25]

Asked about his prospects in the race by the New York Times, he said, "I've gone up against a major American corporation. I stood up for what I thought was right, and I won." Of the major candidates in the 2024 United States presidential election he said (before the withdrawal of Joe Biden): "I think they're both too old; I think they're both incompetent. There's a good chance I won't vote for president."[1]

In pre-primary filing, Osborn out raised incumbent Senator Deb Fischer. According to reports, he raised $456,000 in the latest fiscal quarter, putting him at $609,000 in total funds, more than any independent candidate has ever raised in state history. Most of his donations were small dollar.[26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Weisman, Jonathan (February 18, 2024). "A Union Leader in Nebraska Tries to Leap to the Senate on Labor's Strength". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Goldstein, Luke (April 25, 2024). "The Newcomer From the Shop Floor". The American Prospect. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Dan Osborn Independent for Senate". Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  4. ^ Bamer, Erin (September 22, 2023). "Independent candidate to challenge Deb Fischer for Senate seat". The North Platte Telegraph. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "Dan Osborn, Navy Veteran and Industrial Mechanic from Omaha, Announces U.S. Senate Run". The Bull. September 21, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Schweizer, Errol (October 11, 2021). "Why Are Kellogg's Workers On Strike?". Forbes. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  7. ^ Thakker, Prem (December 4, 2023). "Shock Poll Shows Independent Nebraska Union Leader Beating Republican Senator". The Intercept. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Kaplan, Juliana (November 7, 2021). "Meet the 18-year Kellogg's veteran who's leading workers in a month-long strike that's still going: 'What's at stake here is the American middle class'". Business Insider. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  9. ^ Rodrick, Stephan (November 30, 2021). "Cereal Killers: How 80-Hour Weeks and a Caste System Pushed Kellogg's Workers to Strike". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  10. ^ "Kellogg Fired a Union Leader for Watching Netflix at Work. Now He's Running for Senate". Bloomberg.com. January 10, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  11. ^ Shanker, Deena (January 10, 2024). "Dan Osborn Was Fired for Watching Netflix at Work. Now He's Running for Senate". BNN Bloomberg. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  12. ^ Becka, Tom (October 16, 2023). "This Is Not An Endorsement … But …". Omaha Daily Record. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Early, Steve (December 7, 2023). "In West Virginia and Nebraska: Can Two Working Class Candidates Crash a Multi-Millionaire's Club in Washington, DC?". LA Progressive. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  14. ^ Early, Steve (December 6, 2023). "Two Working-Class Candidates Launch U.S. Senate Runs". Labor Notes. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Plummer, Kate (December 5, 2023). "Shock Poll Gives Challenger Lead in State Donald Trump Won by 19 Points". TIME. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  16. ^ Hammel, Paul (September 21, 2023). "Omaha steamfitter/union leader Dan Osborn to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Deb. Fischer". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  17. ^ Early, Steve (March 13, 2024). "Dan Osborn Challenges Nebraska's Political Establishment with a Blue-Collar Agenda". Barn Raising Media. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  18. ^ Sanderford, Aaron (August 20, 2024). "Dan Osborn turns in signatures to appear on ballot against U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer • Nebraska Examiner".
  19. ^ Jordon, Joe (January 8, 2024). "Despite gun divide Dems leaning toward Osborn for Senate". central.newschannelnebraska.com. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  20. ^ Sanderford, Aaron (October 6, 2023). "Union leader Dan Osborn kicks off nonpartisan U.S. Senate bid in Omaha". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  21. ^ a b Sanderford, Aaron (June 1, 2024). "Dan Osborn might not face Democratic Senate write-in candidate • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  22. ^ Kirst, Seamus (July 28, 2024). "Can a Mechanic Running as an Independent Steal a Senate Seat From Republicans?".
  23. ^ Thakker, Prem (December 4, 2023). "Shock Poll Shows Independent Nebraska Union Leader Beating Republican Senator". The Intercept. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  24. ^ Sanderford, Aaron (December 22, 2023). "Observers question poll indicating a close U.S. Senate race between Deb Fischer and Dan Osborn". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  25. ^ Swett, William (February 21, 2024). ""They want us divided"..." York News-Times. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  26. ^ Hoff, Maya Marchel. "Nebraska steamfitter running for U.S. Senate against GOP incumbent is gaining traction". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
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