The money, much of which was routed to a super PAC called Retire Career Politicians that purchased ads boosting Osborn, is the latest illustration of how the independent relied on influential Democratic donors to support his 2024 candidacy. Retire Career Politicians raked in $3.8 million from the Schumer-aligned Senate Majority PAC and funding from the likes of Sixteen Thirty Fund, a key cog in a massive Democratic dark money network called Arabella Advisors, filings show.

It was, ultimately, no use. Fischer, who assumed office in 2013, beat Osborn by almost 7 points to retain her seat in the upper chamber. Reflecting on his loss, Osborn insisted he “created something pretty special here in Nebraska” and vowed “to continue that.” Fischer said the results showed Nebraskans “still vote for candidates who share their values.”

Over the course of the election cycle, Osborn sought to distance himself from the Democratic Party. But privately, Osborn praised progressives while top Democratic dark money groups in Washington, D.C., supported his campaign with ad buys.

Osborn’s campaign paid a progressive marketing firm that mocked Christians on the internet. It also was fueled by consultants and firms reportedly associated with the Democratic Socialists of America.

The latest campaign finance filings show that Retire Career Politicians, the pro-Osborn PAC with a Washington, D.C., mailing address, received a $200,000 cash infusion from Sixteen Thirty Fund in late October. Sixteen Thirty Fund, which spent hundreds of millions of dollars willing President Joe Biden to the White House in 2020, had previously donated $1.8 million to Retire Career Politicians.

Democratic Majority, another PAC, chipped in a $50,000 check to Retire Career Politicians. LCV Victory Fund, the Democratic PAC arm of the League of Conservation Voters, donated $1 million to Retire Career Politicians on Oct. 21, according to filings.

Democrats United, a Senate Majority PAC backer, donated $100,000 to Retire Career Politicians. Checks also came in from Democratic Power, Movement Voter PAC, the Stop MAGA PAC, and other Democratic-linked entities.

Retire Career Politicians spent around $17 million on ads this election cycle supporting Osborn, filings show.

Another PAC that supported Osborn is Nebraska Railroaders for Public Safety, which pulled in funding from Retire Career Politicians, Movement Voter Project, and other left-wing donors. Reid Hoffman, the LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic megadonor, cut checks to Nebraska Railroaders for Public Safety, as did Sixteen Thirty Fund.

This election, Republicans hammered Osborn as a a “Democrat in disguise,” citing the fact that Retire Career Politicians boosted his candidacy. Osborn looked to position his candidacy as grassroots — which was hampered by the fact that left-wing Washington, D.C.-based groups, and other out-of-state donors, rushed to support him.

The donations from Senate Majority PAC to Retire Career Politicians were not made until mid-October, which allowed them to stay hidden until after Election Day. Hollywood film director Steven Spielberg also donated $25,000 to Retire Career Politicians in October, filings show.

“Schumer’s schemes were not only dishonest, but they didn’t work,” said Nathan Brand, a Republican operative who was involved in Senate races. “When Democrats can’t win on their policies, they resort to dirty tricks. Ultimately, voters saw through the Democrat nonsense.”