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.

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.

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.

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

Independent candidate Dan Osborn responded to a new ad by incumbent U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer that appeared to show images of Vermont and New England instead of Nebraska.

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 survey found that Osborn has a 31-point lead over Fischer with self-identifying independents. He is also supported by 88% of Democrats and 15% of Republicans, according to the poll. An Osborn win would be a stunning upset in Nebraska, where Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-to-1.

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.