Nebraska US Senate candidate Dan Osborn opposes a national abortion ban

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn is currently polling nearly neck and neck with Nebraska Republican Sen. Deb Fischer for Fischer’s seat, which she has held since 2013. The differences between the two candidates couldn’t be more stark — particularly on the issue of abortion rights.

Osborn, a Navy veteran and union steamfitter, says on his campaign website that he wants to keep the government out of the lives of private citizens. He says he does “not support extreme national measures to ban abortion.” 

In an interview with Barn Raiser, a nonprofit news organization focusing on rural America, Osborn said, “I believe in a woman’s decision on whether or not to have an abortion is between her and her doctor, it’s not the federal government’s place to dictate those things to people.”

He added: “Deb Fischer believes in a complete abortion ban. I strongly disagree with that position.” 

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade, Fischer said in a statement, “The justices made the right decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Center by affirming that there is no constitutional right to abortion.” 

In a 2021 column, Fischer touted her work as a member of the Nebraska Legislature in supporting a 20-week abortion ban.

The senator has also consistently earned an A+ from the anti-abortion organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. 

Fischer was recently endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for the end of Roe and has refused to say whether he would veto a national abortion ban if he were reelected.

Abortion in Nebraska is currently banned after 12 weeks gestation, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and risk to the life of the pregnant person. The state also requires that patients seeking abortions wait a mandated 24 hours before having the procedures, have an ultrasound at least one hour before the procedure, receive counseling from a health care provider and that medication abortion be taken in person before a licensed physician. Nebraska prohibits the use of telemedicine in abortion care.

Nebraska will have two opposing measures dealing with abortion rights on the ballot in November. The Protect Our Rights ballot initiative aims to amend the state constitution to guarantee a fundamental right to abortion until “fetal viability,” usually considered around 24 weeks’s gestation. The opposing Protect Women and Children ballot initiative would cement Nebraska’s 12-week abortion ban in the state constitution.

The election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5.