Former BCTGM Local 50-G President and candidate for US Senate Dan Osborn spoke to NAPE/AFSCME union members at our delegate assembly about his campaign for US Senate and the importance of union members running for elected office.
Dan led his local union in Omaha on a historic strike in 2021 when the Kellogg’s corporation refused to agree to a contract that rewarded frontline workers whose dedication led to record profits for Kellogg’s during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was after the strike when Dan stepped up to run for US Senate in 2024. He’s running again in 2026, and he’s encouraging other union members to step up and run for elected office.
“Unions are the first line of defense against poverty,” Dan said. “We are facing attacks on workers rights, and we have to stand up and combat anything that diminishes our rights.” Dan discussed the role of money in politics and shared ideas on how we can level the playing field to elect more workers to office. “I will be the only US Senator with a union card in my wallet,” Dan said.
Now a member of Steamfitters & Plumbers Local 464 in Omaha, Dan also founded the Working Class Heroes political action committee. The committee is working to mobilize union members, regardless of political party, to get involved and run for elected office.
Dan also took questions from NAPE/AFSCME members regarding his campaign for US Senate. As a registered non-partisan, Dan believes he can unite all Nebraskans behind an agenda that supports the working class. He won’t be taking any corporate PAC donations, and said, “My average campaign donation two years ago was around $33. It will take lots of small donations to combat all the money that will be poured in from corporate interests to defeat me.”
You can learn more about Dan’s campaign by clicking here.