The independent candidate, who is backed by some Democrats, recently formed an exploratory committee and expressed his interest in running “if the support is there.” A recent poll showed him trailing by a point against Ricketts, 45% to 46%.

Osborn’s campaign said Ricketts was “clearly nervous about Dan Osborn” in an email to the Washington Examiner.

“Pete Ricketts and his party bosses in D.C. are clearly nervous about Dan Osborn, and they should be,” an Osborn spokesperson said. “Dan got involved in politics to fight for working families and break up the two-party circus in D.C., and that resonates with conservatives, liberals, and everyone in between. An out-of-touch billionaire like Ricketts will need to buy all the endorsements he can get if Dan decides to challenge him.”

In Trump’s endorsement of Ricketts, the president slammed Osborn as a “Radical Left Open Border Extremist.”

“Pete is one of the strongest Senators in the Country on Border Security, whereas his potential Opponent Dan Osborn, is a Radical Left Open Border Extremist, who will put our Country, and Safety, LAST,” Trump said. “Pete, on the other hand, will ALWAYS put Nebraska, and America, FIRST.”

The endorsement is sure to help Ricketts in his reelection bid at a time where the state has shown signs of change. The endorsement’s timing appeared to be a part of Trump’s early endorsement rollout.

“President Trump’s success in office is proof that conservative leadership matters. He is already delivering on his promises to secure the border and make our federal government more efficient,” Ricketts said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “I look forward to working with the President to continue advancing the America First agenda!”

LIST: THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, ACTIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS TRUMP HAS MADE AS PRESIDENT

Osborn has not declared his candidacy for 2026 yet.

Ricketts is running for his first full term in the Senate after being appointed by Gov. Jim Pillen (R-NE) in 2023 and then winning a special election in 2024.