Democrat Cindy Burbank files paperwork to drop out of Nebraska US Senate race

LINCOLN —  Cindy Burbank, Nebraska’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate race, submitted paperwork Friday to remove herself from the November ballot, a move that could clear the way for nonpartisan candidate Dan Osborn to challenge incumbent Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts. 

The Secretary of State’s office confirmed that Burbank filed a form saying she was declining to run Friday morning. Burbank did not immediately respond to an Examiner request for comment.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean Burbank will get her wish in this closely watched race. Her candidacy has come under scrutiny as she has faced allegations of being “planted” in the race to boost chances for Osborn, which Burbank has denied.

Nebraska Democrats did not actively recruit a candidate, and state party chair Jane Kleeb endorsed Osborn.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen will send a letter on Monday to Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers asking for his decision on whether Burbank should be allowed to drop out, Evnen spokesperson Rani Taborek-Potter said Friday. 

Hilgers told the Examiner in May that Evnen had asked for guidance on whether the state can refuse to remove Burbank from the ballot. Evnen told the online outlet The Plains Sentinel shortly before the primary that “if she submits a withdrawal, then I’m going to ask, ‘Well, what is my obligation with respect to this now? Do I have to accept it?’

Evnen briefly removed Burbank in March, saying she wasn’t a “good-faith” candidate, but she was able to successfully sue her way back on the ballot, partly because Evnen missed a deadline for raising his objection. 

Burbank told the Examiner and other outlets she would drop out of the race only if she didn’t have a clear path to victory in the general election. 

On Friday, Burbank told the progressive outlet Courier Nebraska that she has her life “back again” after dropping out. 

Since the May party primary elections, Burbank’s campaign for Senate has been quiet. While she has not announced any public campaign events of her own, she has been campaigning for 1st Congressional District nonpartisan candidate Austin Ahlman. 

Marijuana NOW Party’s U.S. Senate nominee Mike Marvin is still currently on the ballot.

Ricketts’ campaign released a statement Friday on Burbank dropping out.

“Dan Osborn has rigged yet another party’s ballot because he is the Democrats’ nominee,” the statement said.

The Osborn campaign declined to comment on Burbank.

The Osborn-Ricketts race has already been heated and likely will continue to be. The secretary of state on Thursday verified Osborn had gathered enough signatures to qualify for the November general election as an independent. 

The general election is Nov 3.