OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer faces her strongest reelection challenge yet Tuesday as she takes on a former labor union boss who eschewed both major political parties to run as an independent while painting himself as a working class champion.

Two-term Republican Sen. Deb Fischer is defending her Senate seat in a contest that's grown unexpectedly competitive in Nebraska, a reliably red state, with polls indicating a tight race against independent candidate Dan Osborn in the lead-up to Election Day.

Senator Deb Fischer and Senator Tom Cotton hosted a rally in Sarpy County on Saturday, urging neighbors to vote early as time ticks closer to Election Day.

The Senate race is unexpectedly close in the Cornhusker State, and it could boost Democrats’ slim odds of keeping the chamber.

Republicans are upset that the race to protect Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) in deep red Nebraska has gotten competitive, forcing the party to spend precious resources that could be used elsewhere in

The latest poll in Nebraska's closer-than-expected U.S. Senate race shows independent candidate Dan Osborn leading GOP Sen. Deb Fischer by 2 points, his campaign said.

The Cornhusker State's U.S. Senate race is in the national spotlight as an independent candidate gains traction.

Even as outside polling shows a competitive race for U.S. Senate in ruby-red Nebraska, Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer remains adamant that her challenge from nonpartisan industrial mechanic Dan Osborn is a media-driven fabrication.