Sen. Pete Ricketts released a digital ad criticizing Independent candidate Dan Osborn for a canceled fundraiser with Democratic strategist Dana Chasin, whose name appears in Jeffrey Epstein files. Chasin denies any involvement with Epstein's activities. The ad has sparked backlash from Osborn's campaign, which calls the claims false.
In the Nebraska Senate race, Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) launched an ad highlighting Independent Dan Osborn’s planned fundraiser with Dana Chasin, a high-level Democratic strategist mentioned in Epstein files for allegedly moving children on a plane for Jeffrey Epstein. The event was canceled after the connection surfaced, but an ActBlue donation link listing Chasin remained active until Monday, when it was removed following inquiries from The Daily Wire.
Chasin, a member of the Rockefeller family, told Politico he has “never owned or rented a prop plane, or any plane for that matter” and added, “I stand with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and their pursuit of justice and accountability.” Osborn’s campaign described the ad’s claims as “categorically false,” stating the fundraiser was canceled immediately upon learning of Chasin’s alleged ties. They noted Chasin did not donate to Osborn’s 2026 campaign and that the campaign donated $3,300 to an anti-human trafficking charity in response to Chasin’s 2024 contribution.
An Osborn spokesperson accused Ricketts of being part of the “Epstein Class” and protecting such figures, including by voting against releasing Epstein files. The spokesperson said, “Dan Osborn was notified that an attendee of an event was cited in the files and immediately upon knowing, canceled the event.” They added, “Pete Ricketts is lying because he’s scared of Dan Osborn, and the working people’s movement to take down the Epstein class.”
Ricketts’ communications director, Will Coup, responded, “Dan Osborn built his brand on moral outrage over Epstein. But when a wealthy Democrat donor named in the Epstein files offered to host a fundraiser, that outrage disappeared fast. Fake Dan Osborn chose campaign cash over the values he pretends to stand for.”
The Cook Political Report rates the race as “Solid Republican.” Osborn received 46.5% of the vote against Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) in 2024. This ad reflects broader fallout from Epstein files, including recent arrests in the UK of former Prince Andrew and ex-ambassador Peter Mandelson on misconduct charges related to Epstein ties. The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed the Senate unanimously in November, though Republicans faced criticism for blocking a related amendment in September.
