Why It Matters

Cornhusker Majority, a Scottsbluff, Nebraska-based super PAC, has reported approximately $7.08 million in independent expenditures in Nebraska's U.S. Senate race, with nearly all of it opposing independent Dan Osborn and a smaller amount supporting incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE). The spending is part of a broader Republican effort to defend the seat ahead of the Nov. 3 election. ​

The Federal Election Commission classifies Cornhusker Majority as an independent expenditure-only committee, which can raise and spend unlimited sums but cannot coordinate its independent expenditures with candidates' campaigns. Axios reported Sept. 15 that the newly formed Republican group had digital ties to the Senate Leadership Fund and entered the race with an initial $1.4 million advertising buy.

In an Oct. 13 report, Bloomberg said the Senate Leadership Fund had spent about $7 million through Cornhusker Majority and planned to spend an additional $8 million to support Ricketts, bringing its planned Nebraska commitment to $15 million.

The Strategy

Cornhusker Majority's reported expenditures are concentrated almost entirely on attacking Osborn. The committee reported spending about $6.95 million opposing him and $132,000 supporting Ricketts, about 52.5 times as much on opposition as on direct-support advertising.

The Nebraska Senate contest is rated Likely Republican, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 3. Cornhusker Majority's spending is confined to that race, reflecting the scale of outside Republican investment in defending the incumbent. The committee reported more spending against Osborn in individual weekly advertising placements than it spent supporting Ricketts throughout the reporting period.

Who Funds It

Cornhusker Majority registered with the FEC on Sept. 10. Its publicly available processed financial summary does not yet identify receipts, donors, or cash on hand, although independent-expenditure notices document substantial advertising activity.

Bloomberg reported Oct. 13 that the Senate Leadership Fund had spent approximately $7 million through Cornhusker Majority, citing a person familiar with the group's plans. Axios previously identified digital connections between the organizations, including shared Google Analytics coding.

Those reports establish an operational and financial connection, but they do not identify specific contributions to Cornhusker Majority or which donors financed its expenditures. The committee's first regular financial disclosures will provide a clearer accounting of its funding.

The Ad Buy

The committee's reported spending came in weekly bursts, with Flexpoint Media and Alamo Intelligence LLC handling most media placement opposing Osborn. Flexpoint Media appeared in four media-placement expenditures, each seven days apart: $763,000 on Sept. 16, $1.14 million on Sept. 23, $1.17 million on Sept. 30, and $1.51 million on Oct. 7, totaling about $4.57 million. The amounts increased each week as Election Day approached.

Alamo Intelligence LLC followed a parallel schedule: $400,000 on Sept. 16, $200,000 on Sept. 23, $500,000 on Sept. 30, and $400,000 on Oct. 7, totaling $1.50 million, all opposing Osborn.

Caliber Contact handled printing and postage opposing Osborn across six reported expenditures between Sept. 16 and Oct. 9, totaling approximately $789,000. FCG Media Strategies LLC was listed for five text-messaging expenditures totaling approximately $26,000, while MHW Media LLC handled three media-production expenditures totaling approximately $41,000.

The FEC descriptions identify the principal advertising expenditures as "media placement" but do not consistently specify their distribution platforms. However, Axios reported that the group's initial advertising campaign was scheduled to air in the Omaha, Lincoln, and Sioux City television markets, citing advertising trackers Kinetiq Political Insights and AdImpact.

Other Spenders in the Same Races

In the Nebraska U.S. Senate race, Nebraska Values PAC has reported approximately $8.40 million opposing Ricketts and $315,000 supporting Osborn. Working Class Majority PAC has reported approximately $2.85 million supporting Osborn and $2.44 million opposing Ricketts. Win It Back PAC has reported approximately $2.06 million opposing Osborn.

You can explore more about this committee's filings at Legis1.com.

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