Accused Osborn ‘Plant’ Candidate Stays in Senate Race
by John Gage
(Picture credit Matt Johnson)
Mike Marvin, the Legal Marijuana Now U.S. Senate nominee, is staying on the ballot this fall. The Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office told The Plains Sentinel on Monday evening that Marvin had not dropped his bid, ending speculation from some political observers that he would end his run and try to clear the field for Osborn.
Candidates had until August 3 to withdraw or decline their candidacy.
Marvin has been accused by Republicans of being a “plant” candidate for Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn. Osborn denies the accusation.
Marvin says his top goal is to “beat Pete Ricketts” and has promised that he will “work with other candidates in the race to make sure we have a united front against Pete Ricketts in November.”
‘Plant’ Candidates & Parties
The “plant” accusations against Marvin extend in part from his connection to progressive activist and lawyer John Cartier. Cartier was paid $500 for legal fees from the Osborn campaign following the 2024 election campaign.
At the same time, Cartier was also the treasurer for the 2024 Kerry Eddy campaign, who was the Marijuana Now U.S. Senate nominee. Eddy dropped out so her name would not appear on the general election ballot and endorsed Osborn.
Party officials were later threatened by Cartier that they could face prosecution for falsifying election documents if they tried to replace Eddy on the ballot. The party decided not to field a Senate nominee that cycle.
Cartier is now the treasurer for Marvin’s campaign, but has also filed to form a new “America First Party,” which many political observers expect will be used to “plant” another candidate in the U.S. Senate race.
According to a recording obtained by The Plains Sentinel, a paid petitioner for the party said it was being formed to help Osborn’s campaign.
Cartier moved to create the new party after a similar effort was started by failed legislative candidate and registered Democrat Robin Richards, who filed to form a “Nebraska Working People Party.”
Democrats have accused Richards’ party of being a “plant” by incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts.
Legal Circus Has Begun
The formation of two new parties, as well as accusations of “plant” candidates, has caused speculation that the election season could turn into a legal “circus.”
Last month, former Democratic primary candidate William Forbes sued the Nebraska Democratic Party to try to force the party to field a nominee in the U.S. Senate race. Forbes had run against Cindy Burbank, who won the nomination, and dropped out of the race last month.
Forbes, in his lawsuit, accused Burbank of playing a role in the “hijacking of Nebraska’s elections” and disenfranchising Democratic voters. Burbank had run in the primary with the express intent to drop out to try and unify the effort against Ricketts.
Secretary of State Bob Evnen consulted with the attorney general to see if he could prevent her from dropping from the ballot, but eventually allowed it. Evnen called Burbank’s short run for office a “cynical manipulation of the ballot process.”
— John Gage is the executive editor of The Plains Sentinel.
Dan Osborn is a weak candidate, who recognizes he doesn't have a chance to unseat Ricketts without employing shenanigans. Using pseudo candidates to enhance one's chances may not be illegal, but without a doubt it is sleazy. Dan has had so many fraudulent activities exposed, it's surprising he still has supporters.
The Democratic party thinks they can unseat Senator Ricketts and turn Nebraska to deep purple. There has been some evidence that Soros organizations have been supplying money for this push from the Democrat party. The same holds true to unseat Gov. Pillen. As to Osborn, we all know about Democrat Dan.