# Khanna campaigns for Osborn in Nebraska Senate race

> Progressive Democrat Ro Khanna joins independent Dan Osborn's campaign against Republican Pete Ricketts, marking the first elected official to support Osborn's bid.
- Title: Khanna campaigns for Osborn in Nebraska Senate race · CBS News
- Summary: Progressive Democrat Ro Khanna joins independent Dan Osborn's campaign against Republican Pete Ricketts, marking the first elected official to support…
- Keywords: ro khanna, dan osborn, nebraska senate, pete ricketts, independent candidate, 2026 midterm elections, epstein files, news, Khanna, campaigns, Osborn, Nebraska
- Source: CBS News — https://cbsnews.com/news/senate-nebraska-ro-khanna-dan-osborn
- Author: Sophia  Vlahakis
- Published: 2026-10-20T15:49:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ro khanna, dan osborn, nebraska senate, pete ricketts, independent candidate, 2026 midterm elections, epstein files, news
## Khanna joins Osborn's campaign
Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, will campaign Saturday with Dan Osborn, an independent running for Nebraska's Senate seat. Khanna is the first elected official to support Osborn's bid.
## Osborn vows independence from both parties
Osborn has pledged not to caucus with Republicans or Democrats if elected. He is challenging incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts, a former Nebraska governor, in the most heavily Republican state where Khanna has campaigned.
## Khanna on his controversial appearance
Khanna acknowledged his presence might concern conservative voters. He told CBS News: "I tell these folks, do you really want an Indian American of Hindu faith who's a proud progressive coming out?"

> I tell these folks, do you really want an Indian American of Hindu faith who's a proud progressive coming out?
## Epstein files unite the panel
Khanna will appear at a town hall with former Montana Gov. Marc Racicot and former Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh. Osborn said the Epstein case brought the panel together around shared concerns about corruption.
## Sabato's Crystal Ball shifts Nebraska race
With less than three weeks before Election Day, Sabato's Crystal Ball shifted Nebraska in Osborn's favor from Likely Republican to Leans Republican, signalling a tightening race.
## Key takeaway

Rep. Ro Khanna is campaigning for independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska's Senate race against incumbent Pete Ricketts, the first elected official to back Osborn's candidacy.