Nebraska Democrat Cindy Burbank Wins Senate Primary, Plans Exit To Aid Independent Dan Osborn
Cindy Burbank won Nebraska's Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, and said she will drop out to clear the way for independent Dan Osborn in the general election against Sen. Pete Ricketts.[1]
Burbank, a retired pharmacy technician, has described her candidacy as a spoiler and is expected to withdraw to create a direct Osborn-Ricketts matchup that Democrats say will consolidate anti-Ricketts voters.[1] Republican Pete Ricketts won the GOP Senate primary and will be the Republican nominee in the fall.[2]
Nebraska Democrats had hoped to leave their Senate primary vacant but moved to back Burbank after pastor William Forbes entered the race at the last minute.[1] Democrats accuse Forbes of being a Republican "plant" meant to split the anti-Ricketts vote; Forbes denies the charge.[1]
Republicans had briefly succeeded in removing Burbank from the ballot by arguing she was not a legitimate candidate because she did not intend to serve, but a court later reinstated her.[1] Republicans also say Democrats and Osborn allies tried to influence a Legal Marijuana NOW Party primary by recruiting a candidate who planned to win and then drop out to help Osborn.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Cindy Burbank, a retired pharmacy technician, won the Nebraska Democratic Senate primary, according to the Associated Press.
- Dan Osborn is the independent candidate Burbank says she intends to clear the way for; she has described her candidacy as a spoiler and is expected to drop out later to create a head-to-head race with Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts.
- Nebraska Democrats initially wanted to leave their primary vacant but shifted to back William Forbes after he entered late; Democrats accuse Forbes of being a Republican 'plant' to split the anti-Ricketts vote, an allegation Forbes denies.
- Republicans had previously succeeded in removing Cindy Burbank from the ballot by arguing she was not a legitimate candidate because she did not intend to serve if elected, but a court later reinstated her candidacy.
- Republicans also accuse Democrats and Osborn allies of trying to influence a Legal Marijuana NOW Party primary by recruiting a candidate who they say planned to win and then drop out to help Osborn.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Cindy Burbank, a retired pharmacy technician, won the Nebraska Democratic Senate primary, according to the Associated Press.
- Burbank has said she is running as a spoiler and is expected to drop out later to clear the way for independent candidate Dan Osborn in a head-to-head race against Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts.
- Nebraska Democrats had hoped to leave their primary vacant but shifted to back Burbank after pastor William Forbes entered the race at the last minute; they accuse Forbes of being a Republican 'plant' aiming to split the anti-Ricketts vote, an allegation he denies.
- Republicans previously succeeded in removing Burbank from the ballot by arguing she was not a legitimate candidate because she did not intend to serve if elected, but a court later reinstated her candidacy.
- Republicans also accuse Democrats and Osborn allies of trying to influence a Legal Marijuana NOW Party primary through a candidate who allegedly intended to win and then drop out to help Osborn.