An independent’s strength could give Democrats hope in hostile territory.
  • perishthethought@lemm.eeEnglish
    12·
    4 months ago

    First paragraphs:

    A race that no one is talking about is threatening to upend Republicans’ high hopes to control the U.S. Senate after November’s election. Incumbent Deb Fischer, one of the 10 most unpopular senators in the country, according to Morning Consult’s July survey, is facing a stiff and unexpected challenge from an independent steamfitter named Dan Osborn, who is backed by the United Auto Workers and keeping his distance from the state’s beleaguered Democrats. While Osborn remains a long shot, he is likely to force Republicans to pour some money and resources into a race that they should have been able to win effortlessly as they try to capitalize on 2024’s GOP-friendly Senate map. And if Osborn wins, or even puts a credible scare into Fischer, his campaign could serve as a template for how to dislodge Republicans from statewide monopolies in places where Democrats have long struggled to compete.

  • randon31415@lemmy.world
    9·
    4 months ago

    Never mind that some of these people polled think he might be related to Tom Osborn -

    What would happen if Republicans get 50 seats, Democrats get 49 and the VP, and this guy refuses to caucus with either side?

    • dhork@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      4 months ago

      He would have to caucus with one side or another, otherwise he would get no committee assignments. He would likely stick with Democrats, though, since Democrats ran no candidate against him and if he caucused with Republicans he would likely face a primary challenge for his next term regardless.

    • Billiam@lemmy.world
      6·
      4 months ago

      The VP only matters in case of a tie. If there aren’t 50 Dems or Senators who caucus with the Dems, they won’t control the Senate.