A strategy embraced by several Democratic state organizations this cycle of backing independent candidates in key races in lieu of fielding their own nominees fell short Election Day, with several of those candidates performing strongly but ultimately losing to their Republican opponents.
The approach gained national attention earlier this year and involved Democratic groups and figures supporting independent candidates in traditionally Republican states where party leaders believed their own nominees had little hope of success. In some cases, the Democratic nominees withdrew after winning their primaries, while other independents simply received institutional and individual support from state Democrats.
One of the higher-profile examples was in Nebraska, where independent Dan Osborn challenged incumbent Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts. This was Osborn’s second bid for a Senate seat, having previously challenged Republican Sen. Deb Fischer in 2024, when he set a state record for the most votes received by an independent U.S. Senate candidate.
He received the endorsement of the Nebraska Democratic Party after its nominee, Cindy Burbank, withdrew. Osborn also earned the support of several additional political parties, including the Nebraska affiliate of the Liberal Party USA and the national Reform Party.
Similar arrangements emerged in Idaho and South Dakota, where Democratic nominees withdrew, clearing the field for independent candidates. In Idaho, several Democratic organizations supported Todd Achilles in his bid against incumbent Republican Sen. Jim Risch, with Democratic nominee David Roth withdrawing after facing pressure from within his own party, while South Dakota’s Brian Bengs challenged Republican incumbent Mike Rounds following the withdrawal of Democratic nominee Julian Beaudion.
In Montana, Seth Bodnar received the support of several prominent Democrats, including former Sen. Jon Tester and former Gov. Steve Bullock. However, unlike the previous examples, Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead refused to withdraw from the race. Both went on to appear on the ballot alongside Republican Kurt Alme and Libertarian Kyle Austin.
The only state where this strategy was pursued that has yet to be called as of Wednesday is Alaska, where the state Democratic Party endorsed Bill Hill in his campaign against Republican U.S. Rep. Nick Begich for Alaska’s lone congressional district. As Alaska uses ranked choice voting, if no candidate receives an outright majority of first-choice votes, the state will move on to a second round of tabulations later in the month.
A snapshot of all five races, based on current figures reported by the Associated Press as of this article’s original publication, is presented below:
- Nebraska (91% reported)
- Pete Ricketts (Republican Party): 370,411 votes (50.4%)
- Dan Osborn (Independent): 321,218 votes (43.7%)
- Robin Richards (Nebraska Working People Party): 18,937 votes (2.6%)
- Mike Marvin (Legal Marijuana Now Party): 15,848 votes (2.2%)
- Chuck Conboy (America First Party of Nebraska): 8,846 votes (1.2%)
- Idaho (99% reported)
- Jim Risch (Republican Party): 401,280 votes (56.5%)
- Todd Achilles (Independent): 238,223 votes (33.6%)
- Natalie M. Fleming (Independent): 49,860 votes (7.0%)
- Matt Loesby (Libertarian Party): 20,629 votes (2.9%)
- South Dakota (99% reported)
- Mike Rounds (Republican Party): 184,571 votes (60.5%)
- Brian L. Bengs (Independent): 120,484 votes (39.5%)
- Montana (90% reported)
- Kurt Alme (Republican Party): 222,075 votes (49.0%)
- Seth Bodnar (Independent): 168,953 votes (37.3%)
- Alani Bankhead (Democratic Party): 54,157 votes (11.9%)
- Kyle Austin (Libertarian Party): 8,313 votes (1.8%)
- Alaska (74% reported)
- Nick Begich III (Republican Party): 105,353 votes (49.6%)
- Bill Hill (Independent): 85,838 votes (40.4%)
- Eric Hafner (Democratic Party): 15,501 votes (7.3%)
- Jim McDermott (Libertarian Party): 5,763 votes (2.7%)
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