Trump heads to rally in deep-red Nebraska, where a Senate seat and key House seat are on the line

President Donald Trump plans to rally Monday evening in Grand Island, Nebraska. His visit comes as both parties focus on competitive races in the state.

Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts is seeking election after winning a 2024 special election. He faces independent Dan Osborn, a union steamfitter who made a strong showing against another Republican senator in 2024.

Nebraska’s Democratic Senate nominee withdrew, leaving no Democrat on the ballot. Democrats are supporting Osborn, who says he will not join either party’s Senate group. Ricketts has accused him of being a Democrat in disguise.

Ricketts has drawn criticism over his past decision as governor to pardon a man convicted of sexually assaulting a woman. He has defended the pardon and said protecting Nebraskans is his responsibility. He also apologized after leaked campaign audio included disparaging remarks about hypothetical Trump voters.

Trump has endorsed Ricketts and attacked Osborn in a social media video. Nebraska also has a significant House contest, but Grand Island is in the reliably Republican 3rd District, represented by Adrian Smith. The article does not specify what comes next in the Senate race.