LINCOLN- A recent survey by a left-leaning pollster with a solid reputation but an unusual approach triggered questions about the U.S. Senate race involving Nebraska’s senior senator. Local political observers questioned some of the poll’s methods and findings, including its headliner: a close race between two-term Republican Sen. Deb Fischer and Dan Osborn, a union leader and nonpartisan political newcomer.

California pollster Change Research surveyed 1,048 likely 2024 Nebraska voters Nov. 13-16. It found 40% support for Osborn and 38% for Fischer, which fell within the survey’s 3.1% margin of error. Of those surveyed, 18% were undecided. The pollster and a half dozen Nebraska political consultants and observers interpreted the poll as showing voters are open to considering a third-party candidate.

Nebraska politicos with polling experience said they doubted Fischer’s race was as close as the survey indicates. Several said the poll does hint at the potential for a more competitive race than usual. Paul Landow, a retired UNO political science professor, said the poll likely oversampled urban and suburban Nebraskans and undercounted rural residents who still rely on landline phones.

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