How Nebraska’s Senate Primary Became The Most Bizarre Race In The Country

The Nebraska Senate Primary has shaped up to be one of the most consequential — and bizarre — races in the county.

Accusations of “planted” candidates have plagued the already overcrowded primary, leaving Nebraskans with a bizarre lineup of candidates whose policy platform doesn’t always match up with their party registration. At least one Democrat candidate has pledged to drop out of the race should she win the party’s nomination.

While incumbent Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts is facing off against a handful of GOP challengers, he is expected to easily secure the nomination. However, on the other side of the partisan aisle, the race for the nomination has become one of the more bizarre election contests in recent history.

Cindy Burbank and William Forbes are both vying for the Democratic nomination, but Burbank has already vowed to drop out of the race if she secures the nomination. (RELATED: Republican Nebraska Sen Deb Fischer Attends Elite DC Party Hosted By Major Gay Dating App)

Burbank has publicly disclosed that this bold strategy is to make way for Dan Osborn, an independent candidate who has aligned himself with the Democratic Party. If that wasn’t confusing enough for voters, Forbes is a pro-life pastor who voted for President Donald Trump but continues to insist that he is a Democrat.

Forbes’ conservative track record has led to onlookers accusing the supposed Democrat of being a Republican “plant” intended to siphon votes and derail Osborn’s candidacy, in turn boosting Rickett’s reelection odds.

“Pete Ricketts, who is running for reelection, is putting in a candidate loyal to him in the DEMOCRATIC primary – to split the vote against him, so he wins easily,” Burbank’s campaign website reads. “He’s running an anti-abortion activist named Bill Forbes, who has posted in support of Pete Ricketts!”

“He knows he’s losing to Dan Osborn and this is his plan to cheat his way to victory,” the website reads. “We can’t let that happen.”

Osborn levied similar accusations against Ricketts, calling Forbes a “GOP stooge” looking to split the Democrat vote.

Here are two things you ought to know about Nebraska’s upcoming primary:

-Because I’m an Independent, I won’t appear on your primary ballot. I’ll be on your ballot in November. Please don’t waste your vote writing me in!

-If you’re voting in the Democrat primary, please be wary… pic.twitter.com/NOSfnsmEtl

— Dan Osborn (@osbornforne) April 21, 2026

“If you’re voting in the Democrat primary, please be wary that Ricketts has a GOP stooge planted in the race named William Forbes,” Osborn said in a post on X. “Do NOT vote for Fake Forbes!”

A spokesperson for Rickett’s campaign categorically denied the accusations, telling the Daily Signal they had “no role in the Democratic primary.” (RELATED: Democrats Accuse Trump-Voting Pastor Candidate Of Being Republican Plant)

Forbes is not the only candidate accused of being a plant, with Republicans pointing the finger at a lesser-known third-party candidate by the name of Mike Marvin.

Marvin is running under the Legal Marijuana NOW Party, a pro-legalization party, and has come under scrutiny after Burbank footed the bill for the $1,740 filing fee. Critics perceived Burbank’s financial favor as a clear case of collusion, in turn accusing Marvin of being a Democrat plant who will inevitably drop out and back Osborn. Marvin and Burbank have both denied these accusations.

Nebraska’s messy primary election is set to take place on Tuesday, May 12, with the general election on November 3.