Schumer points to Nebraska Independent candidate as Democrat gain amid dark money scrutiny

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., suggested Democrats were adjacent to picking up a Senate spot successful Nebraska, seemingly referring to Nebraska Independent Dan Osborn arsenic a apt Democrat caucus member, which the Senate campaigner has continuously denied. 

"We person decent chances of picking up 3 seats," Schumer told Democrats during a virtual rally with the Jewish Democratic Council of America successful enactment of Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz's campaign. 

"We're adjacent successful Texas. We're a constituent oregon 2 down successful Nebraska. We're lone 3 points down successful Florida," the New York Democrat said successful a video obtained by Fox News Digital. 

I'M DAN OSBORN: THIS IS WHY I WANT NEBRASKA'S VOTE FOR SENATE

Dan Osborn told Fox News Digital helium has ne'er spoken to Schumer. (Reuters | AP)

"So we person – we're close connected the borderline of keeping the Senate, of winning the House, keeping the presidency," Schumer continued. 

There is nary Democratic campaigner nominated for the Senate contention betwixt incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Osborn, who is simply a national person and mechanic. 

Osborn's run told Fox News Digital that helium has ne'er spoken to Schumer before. 

"I'm a existent Independent, and I’ve said implicit and implicit again that I bash not program to caucus with either party," Osborn said successful a statement.

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer listens to a question from a newsman during a quality league astatine the U.S. Capitol connected May 15, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

"I’ve ne'er spoken to Chuck Schumer, and helium is going to beryllium successful for a rude awakening if helium thinks I’m taking orders from him oregon anyone successful DC. My hostile Deb Fischer does immoderate Mitch McConnell tells her to. That's what's incorrect with Washington. We request an autarkic who volition basal up to the enactment bosses and halt playing authorities truthful we tin yet unafraid the border, walk a workplace bill, and service the state alternatively of peculiar interests," helium added. 

While each of the 4 independents presently successful the U.S. Senate caucus with the Democrats, giving the enactment its existent majority, Osborn has reiterated helium would not caucus with either party. 

But this has been analyzable by the actions and remarks of Democrats who person signaled they expect him to articulation them. 

Apart from Schumer's proposition that Nebraska is simply a apt pickup accidental for the party, a PAC associated with Democrat Harry Dunn, who is simply a erstwhile Capitol Police serviceman who antecedently ran for Congress, precocious sent a fundraising substance that claimed, "Dan is an autarkic who volition caucus with the Democrats."

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Osborn challenged Fischer's re-election bid, moving arsenic an independent. (Reuters)

The run disputed the text's assertion and the PAC reportedly said the connection was "incorrect" and not coordinated with Osborn's team. 

The incidents person besides coincided with scrutiny implicit Osborn's monetary enactment from extracurricular groups. 

Multiple extracurricular groups person poured wealth into Nebraska arsenic the Independent's situation to Fischer has gained momentum, immoderate of which person ties to Democrats and a arguable acheronian wealth radical linked to billionaire George Soros. 

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Hungarian-born U.S. capitalist and Democratic donor George Soros (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

One of the main groups spending connected behalf of Osborn is Retire Career Politicians, which has gotten $800,000 from the arguable acheronian wealth group, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, successful a substance of months.

The Sixteen Thirty Fund notoriously keeps its donors' identities a secret, but it has notably received much than $75 cardinal successful grants from Soros' Open Society Foundations betwixt 2016 and 2022, according to Open Society Foundations' website. 

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A typical for Schumer did not supply remark to Fox News Digital successful clip for publication. 

In a caller New York Times/ Siena College poll, Fischer bushed Osborn by lone 2 points, 48% to 46%. 

The canvass surveyed 1,194 voters successful Nebraska betwixt Oct. 23 and 26. The borderline of mistake is +/- 3.2 percent points. 

Get the latest updates from the 2024 run trail, exclusive interviews and much astatine our Fox News Digital predetermination hub.