Nebraska State Education Association, (Courtesy)
OMAHA — President Tim Royers announced the Nebraska State Education Association’s (NSEA) endorsement of Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn for the 2026 election.
President Royers and Osborn were joined for remarks by NSEA Vice President Paul Schulte and Dan’s spouse, Megan Osborn.
“Public schools are the bedrock of our communities, especially in rural areas, and I will be a fierce champion and defender for public education in the United States Senate,” said Dan Osborn. “That’s the difference between us: I listen to Nebraskans; I value public education; Pete Ricketts takes his orders from Washington billionaires and special interests.
“When I’m in the Senate, I’ll fight every single day to make sure our public schools have the resources they need,” Osborn continued. “I’ll stand with teachers, not billionaires. I’ll invest in our communities, not drain money from them. And I’ll never forget that the future of Nebraska – and America – is sitting in public school classrooms right now, and they deserve our very best.”
“We’re thrilled to announce our support for Dan in running for the U.S. Senate, because we know he’s going to prioritize the needs of the classroom teacher, of the custodian, the school secretary, the librarian, and all the folks who are directly working with our students and their families each and every day,” said President Tim Royers. “He will fight for funding that prioritizes students’ success, and making sure that education remains an affordable profession that you can make a living off of.
“Even today, as we’ve been processing the most recent news about how they’re trying to carve off the federal Department of Education to other departments, the first question Dan asked was, ‘What’s that going to mean for you and your kids?’ And that’s the kind of leader we want in D.C.,” continued Royers. “That question he asked us today really underscores the main reason we’re excited – because he has empathy. Anytime someone told a story about hardship, he was instantly putting himself in their shoes and thinking about how that challenge would impact the people that he knows and loves, and then, therefore, the people that we were speaking for and advocating for. Above all else, that’s what our members need in Washington D.C.”
“The decision Dan and I made to be a public school family proved to be one of the best we ever made,” said Megan Osborn. “Public education is one of the strongest tools we have for building a bright future for the next generation. We are honored that Dan has received the NSEA’s support.”
“People across the state are asking for something different – someone who will put us first, who will listen, and who will carry the voices of Nebraska families and educators to Washington D.C.,” said Vice President Paul Schulte. “Dan Osborn is willing to put us first. Pete Ricketts has shown us time and time again, he won’t.
“Osborn has my full support,” continued Schulte. “Educators want leaders who not only promise ‘students first’ but who demonstrate it through their actions, leaders who aren’t trapped in partisan boxes. We want leaders who know the difference between serving a party and serving the people.”
