Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) is facing a tough reelection battle and claims to have over 1,000 endorsements, including current and former elected officials, conservative activists, farmers, and business people. However, until recently, her total fell short of 1,000 and some of the individuals on her list may not be worth advertising. For example, some endorsers have been involved in illegal activities, such as voting illegally in multiple states or committing fraud, raising questions about the credibility of Fischer’s endorsements. Additionally, some former Republican elected officials have been accused of physical or sexual misconduct, further damaging Fischer’s reputation.
In addition to questionable endorsements, Fischer has been an outspoken critic of Chinese telecommunications company Huawei, arguing that its use in U.S. infrastructure poses a national security risk. She has advocated for the removal of Huawei equipment from existing infrastructure, citing concerns about Chinese surveillance. However, Fischer has also received an endorsement from former U.S. Rep. Lee Terry, who worked as a lobbyist for Huawei in 2021, raising questions about her stance on the issue.
Independent candidate Dan Osborn is running against what he views as corruption by big-money interests in both parties. Osborn, a union industrial mechanic-turned-steamfitter, has positioned himself as an anti-corruption populist and has polled within striking distance of Fischer. This unexpected challenge has caused Senate Republicans to invest in Fischer’s reelection campaign, as they see the race as too close for comfort in a solidly Republican state.
Despite the controversy surrounding Fischer’s endorsements and her stance on Huawei, the senator remains the heavy favorite in the reelection race. Nebraska is a solidly Republican state that Trump won by a large margin in 2020, and Fischer is a two-term conservative senator. However, Osborn’s strong campaign has put pressure on Fischer, forcing her to defend her record and address criticisms of her endorsers. The race is shaping up to be closer than expected, with Republicans now investing in Fischer’s campaign to secure her reelection.
The Fischer campaign has faced scrutiny over the validity of her endorsements, with evidence showing duplicate names and deceased individuals on her list, bringing the total number of endorsers below 1,000. The campaign provided an alternate list, which still included duplicate names and deceased individuals, but claimed to have over 1,000 endorsements after adding 76 more names. Despite efforts to bolster her endorsements, questions remain about the credibility of Fischer’s campaign and the individuals backing her.
In conclusion, Sen. Deb Fischer is facing a competitive reelection battle in Nebraska, with independent Dan Osborn challenging her as an anti-corruption populist. Fischer has come under fire for questionable endorsements, including individuals involved in illegal activities and accusations of misconduct. Her stance on Huawei and national security has also raised concerns, especially with her connection to former lobbyist Lee Terry. While Fischer remains the favorite in a solidly Republican state, Osborn’s strong campaign has made the race closer than expected, prompting Republicans to invest in Fischer’s reelection efforts.
