Rail labor supporter Dan Osborn launched his campaign out of the back of his pickup truck and is now polling almost even with the heavily-favored incumbent. Photo: courtesy Osborn for Senate
____________________
Dan Osborn, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Nebraska, has the BLET’s support. He was endorsed by the BLET Nebraska State Legislative Board and is a proud union member. Working as an industrial mechanic, he led a successful strike at the Kellogg’s cereal plant in Omaha, in part against a two-tier pay system. After helping to win gains for workers in the strike settlement, Osborn was subsequently fired by management under questionable circumstances.
Osborn has no prior political experience. He launched his unorthodox campaign for Senate out of the back of his pickup truck. He has refused corporate PAC money yet he trails his heavily-favored Republican opponent by only two percentage points in the latest polls. Osborn continues working his day job as an apprentice steamfitter to help pay the bills.
His platform includes holding railroads accountable for the dangerous practices that led to the toxic derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Osborn supports two-person train crews, increasing fines against railroad corporations when they violate federal rail safety laws, and reducing the rash of dangerous and inconvenient blocked rail crossings that have plagued citizens across the United States. Osborn supports the Railway Safety Act while his opponent, Deb Fischer, opposes it.
In such a tight race, BLET members can help tip the scales in favor of a candidate who stands on the side of rail labor. More information about Osborn can be found on his Facebook page.