Osborn touts rural priorities during Clearwater campaign stop

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn told Clearwater residents that Washington policies are putting increasing pressure on rural Nebraska during a July 10, meet-and-greet.

During the event, Osborn outlined his campaign priorities, focusing on support for family farms, congressional reform and protecting rural communities.

Osborn, of Omaha, is challenging U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, and is traveling Nebraska, meeting with voters about issues affecting rural communities.

Osborn said Nebraskans should expect Washington to be a "co-equal branch of government."

"It seems like the executive branch doesn't work equally with Congress and the judicial branch," Osborn said.

By returning tariff authority to Congress, banning Congressional members from stock trading, and prohibiting former members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, lawmakers will be able to work toward meaningful change.

"It's really about draining the swamp."

Much of the discussion centered on agriculture and the challenges facing rural Nebraska.

Osborn said tariffs have hurt Nebraska farmers.

"Obviously, 52% of our bean market was gone through a tariff war with China," he said.

Famers continue to face financial struggles, especially with operational costs. He pointed to rising input costs, including fertilizer and fuel, as additional pressures on producers.

Osborn argued that conflicting involving Iran and disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz contributed to those higher costs for farmers.

"Our row crop farmers and ranchers that rely on fertilizers that come from the area are getting killed," he said. "Nobody wants a handout. They want a market and they want a fair shake to be able to make money while farming."

Osborn also cited an aging farm population fewer young producers entering agriculture and increasing farmland consolidation by private equity firms.

"Bankrupty in 2025 is up 46%. Farmer suicide is three and one-half times the national average. These are real issues ... the dominos are going to start to fall," Osborn said.

He argued those challenges extend beyond the farm gate.

When farms disappear, other main street businesses suffer.

"We have to protect this beautiful rural way of life. People live here because they want to."

He also addressed environmental policy, emphasizing water quality, soil health, and energy independence.

"It's about water, soil health, air, and dialing back the damage we've done to the climate," he said. "We owe it to our kids and our grandkids, and the human beings who aren't born yet, to course correct this pattern we're on."

Osborn said the nataion can become more energy independent by investing in energy sources beyond fossil fuels.

Area residents shared concerns about housing concerns, postal service increases, social security, and agricultural struggles. Osborn said many of those challenges share a common source.

"All these policies that we know are hurting folks like you are policies of choice," he said.