A new Times/Siena poll shows Senator Pete Ricketts leading independent challenger Dan Osborn in Nebraska’s Senate race.
The survey found that voters view Osborn as more aligned with Democrats than with an independent identity.
Ricketts holds the advantage as the incumbent in a state that leans heavily Republican.
Osborn has positioned himself as an outsider, but the poll suggests that message is not fully resonating.
Nebraska voters appear to weigh party affiliation heavily when evaluating Senate candidates.
The findings highlight the difficulty independent candidates face in breaking through in partisan races.
Both campaigns are expected to adjust their messaging as the race moves forward.
