Dan Osborn Hits Ricketts Over Epstein Files as Nebraska Senate Race Tightens and Republicans Grow Frustrated

The Epstein files have become a fresh fault line in Nebraska's Senate race, with independent candidate Dan Osborn accusing Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts of failing to prioritise survivors' demands as polling shows the contest tightening.

In a recent podcast interview, Osborn pointed to Ricketts' reported opposition to releasing the files and argued that voters are increasingly frustrated with the political establishment.

The latest public surveys show a close contest: SurveyUSA had Osborn ahead 46 per cent to 42 per cent among likely voters, while a later Wedgewood poll put Ricketts ahead 52 per cent to 48 per cent.

Osborn Targets Ricketts Over Epstein Files

Osborn said his meeting with Epstein survivors and their families had a profound impact on him, particularly after seeing documents connected to the case.

He accused Ricketts of taking an inconsistent position, pointing to comments the senator allegedly made in the past about sex trafficking being among the gravest crimes while opposing efforts to release additional Epstein-related material.

'It's an American tragedy,' Osborn said during the interview, adding that he intends to keep pressure on the issue if elected.

The comments put the Epstein controversy at the centre of a Nebraska campaign that is already attracting national attention. The issue has also surfaced in other 2026 Senate contests, reflecting wider political pressure surrounding the government's handling of Epstein-related records.

AI and Data Centres Become Campaign Flashpoints

Osborn is also using artificial intelligence and data-centre development to distinguish himself from Ricketts.

He said Congress needs stronger safeguards around AI while allowing beneficial applications to continue. His argument is that lawmakers should establish rules before the technology expands further without adequate oversight.

Data centres have become a particularly important Nebraska issue because of their demands for electricity, water and land. Osborn criticised Ricketts' record as governor, claiming his administration provided substantial incentives to attract the industry.

State figures show Nebraska's governor's office estimated $519 million (£391.9 million) in data-centre property-tax exemptions from 2021 through June 2026. The figure represents estimated exemptions associated with $15 billion (£11.31 billion) in exempt personal property, rather than direct cash payments.

Nebraska has since moved to restrict future state tax incentives for new data centres. Governor Jim Pillen signed an executive order in July ending access to the incentives while directing officials to study their effects on water and electricity resources.

Farm Costs Add Pressure in Nebraska

Agriculture is another major part of Osborn's pitch to voters. He criticised proposals to increase foreign beef imports, arguing that Nebraska ranchers are already dealing with a shrinking cattle herd, higher costs and pressure from the meatpacking industry.

Osborn also raised concerns about the closure of a Tyson beef plant and its impact on local workers, while calling for greater competition among meatpackers.

His broader argument is that Nebraska's agricultural communities are being squeezed by costs linked to energy, trade and supply chains.

'We got to let our ranchers do their thing,' Osborn said, arguing that farmers and ranchers should have more leverage within the beef industry.

He also connected those concerns to the wider political frustration he says he is hearing across the state, particularly among voters who traditionally identify as Republican.