Petitioner Says New ‘America First Party’ Created to Help Dan Osborn

by Matt Johnson

OMAHA — Two new parties have launched in the past month in order to make the November ballot, opening up accusations of political gamesmanship by both Republicans and Democrats.

The Plains Sentinel obtained a recording of a conversation with one of the petitioners for the “America First Party.” The man, who identified himself as “Jacoby,” appeared to confirm that the party’s purpose was to influence the U.S. Senate race.

“I don’t really know who’s paying, like how they’re paying or what—who’s where’s it coming from—but I know it is to aid the cause of Dan Osborn to help get someone new into the office,” the petitioner said. “Because you know, Pete Ricketts overturns things that the people want, and it’s really just to get a new face that actually listens to the people.”

The Plains Sentinel was able to verify that “Jacoby” was collecting signatures as a paid petitioner, but a spokesperson for the “America First Party” did not return a request for comment regarding the alleged Osborn connection.

The petitioner said he was from Houston and worked for Advanced Micro Targeting (AMT), gathering signatures in Nebraska along with several others from out of state.

“They send us—we are from all different states—to come in a certain state to help circulate the petition,” he said. “None of my co-workers are from Nebraska. None of them are from Nebraska circulating.”

AMT has been used for progressive petitioning causes in Nebraska before, with Respect Nebraska Voters paying the firm over $2,000,000 to collect signatures.

The Plains Sentinel reached out to the Osborn campaign for comment. A campaign spokesperson denied any involvement:

“The campaign knows nothing about this effort, and has not supported or coordinated with it whatsoever. We have zero involvement with any political party, including potential parties. Dan is running as an Independent because he doesn’t align with any political party, especially not one that is starting up this election cycle.”

According to the petitioner, the progressive-sounding “Nebraska Working People Party” had a similar goal, with the Ricketts campaign behind its organization.

“Basically what he’s been doing is using these loopholes like that same third party thing to keep himself going, but now that people are starting to realize and starting to really get tired of the guy, it’s time to take action,” the petitioner said. “I know you know about the Nebraska Working People Party, I’m sure you probably wouldn’t sign it, but a lot of people don’t know that it’s Pete Ricketts that’s funding that … basically, she’s [Robin Richards] the face of that, but behind that, he is the one that’s like, ‘hey, can you do that?’ ‘Can you do that for a friend’ type of thing?”

On Saturday, Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb released a video showing what purports to be a petitioner for “The Working People Party” saying his boss “does do some liberal petitions but he mainly does conservative petitions.” Kleeb has alleged Ricketts is behind the effort.

The petitioner said he was doing the work because it was good money.

Party Tricks

The battle for new parties making the ballot began late last month when Robin Richards, a registered Democrat and failed legislative candidate, filed the petition for the “Nebraska Working People Party.”

Several attempts to reach Richards by phone by The Plains Sentinel have been unsuccessful.

Following Richards filing, John Cartier, a practicing attorney in Lincoln, filed to create the “America First Party.”

Cartier ran for a seat on the Lincoln Public Schools board last year. Though currently registered as nonpartisan, he has been endorsed by BlueVoterGuide.org, which lists him on its page for endorsements in the Nebraska Democratic Party and he has a long history of progressive activism.

Cartier told The Plains Sentinel that he was forming the party because “people are angry and tired of the bulls—.” “The America First Party is here to give voters options,” he added.

According to FEC records, Cartier was paid $500 for “legal services” by the Osborn for Senate campaign shortly after the 2024 election. His connection to Osborn has the Ricketts campaign crying foul.

In a statement to The Plains Sentinel, Max Oberg, deputy campaign manager for the Ricketts campaign, said:

“The America First ballot effort is a sham. The organizer is Dan Osborn’s former campaign attorney. This is what Dan Osborn does. He can’t win honestly, so he rigs the process and deceives voters. He manipulated multiple primaries, planted candidates, and now is creating a fake party.”

Finish Line Approaching Fast

Both new parties have until July 15 to gather the signatures needed to qualify. The threshold is lower than that required for ballot initiatives: only “one percent of the total votes cast for Governor at the most recent general election for such office,” according to state law—just under 7,000 signatures.

If either party succeeds, the November ballot could feature more candidates than ever.

— Matt Johnson is a freelance reporter with The Plains Sentinel.