Independent Candidates Run for Senate in Four Trump-Won States
Four independent candidates are running for U.S. Senate in states that President Trump won, including Nebraska, Idaho, South Dakota and Montana, NPR reported on Oct. 25. Independents are candidates who are not registered with either major party.
In Nebraska, Dan Osborn is running as an independent for the Senate seat held by Pete Ricketts, a former Nebraska governor who is now the incumbent senator. Osborn is 51 years old, a Navy veteran and a mechanic. Ro Khanna, a California congressman, is the first elected official to campaign with Osborn, CBS News reported on Oct. 20.
No Democrat is running for the Senate in Nebraska. Democrats stepped aside in Nebraska, Idaho and South Dakota to make way for independent candidates, according to NPR's earlier reporting on the race. Jane Kleeb chairs the Nebraska Democratic Party.
In Montana, Seth Bodnar, a former Green Beret, is running as an independent. Bodnar has said that if he wins a Senate seat, he will not caucus with either party, meaning he would not join either party's group of senators. The two current independents in the Senate, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine, both caucus with Democrats.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg endorsed Bodnar on Oct. 23, CBS News reported. The Democratic nominee in Montana's Senate race is Alani Bankhead.
Some Democrats hope independent candidates can help them win seats in areas where the Democratic brand is hurting, NPR reported. The party is looking to retake control of Congress.
The Senate has 100 seats. Democrats need to pick up at least four seats in the Nov. 3 midterm elections to win control, Reuters reported. Control of the chamber is up for grabs, according to The Associated Press.
