BURWELL, Neb. — Independent Senate candidates Dan Osborn in Nebraska and Seth Bodnar in Montana are betting that voter frustration with party politics and the cost of living can overcome the familiar pull of the Republican and Democratic labels. The campaigns are unfolding in states Donald Trump won handily, where Democrats see the independents as possible vehicles for denying Republicans a Senate majority. But the strategy has stirred disputes inside the Democratic Party, especially in Montana, where a Democratic nominee remains in the race alongside Bodnar. In Nebraska, rancher Dan Morgan says economic uncertainty is tangible in his business. Raising cattle takes years, he said, while changing costs and tariffs have put pressure on a ranch that exports about half its production. Morgan, a Democrat in a heavily Republican state, is backing Osborn because he believes the former union leader can speak to working families. Osborn, 51, is a Navy veteran and industrial mechanic who first drew national attention after leading a strike at a Kellogg’s plant in 2021. In his previous Senate race, he came within seven points of Republican incumbent Deb Fischer. This year, he is running against Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts and touring Nebraska’s 93 counties with a populist message focused on workers and political influence. “I’m running against the entire establishment,” Osborn said, arguing that the political system serves powerful interests. He says he would not caucus with either party if elected. Nebraska Democrats have openly supported his bid. Party chair Jane Kleeb said the party’s support is part of a coalition-building strategy, as Democrats work to compete again in a state where their brand has weakened. The party’s approach included running a candidate in the primary who had said she would step aside for Osborn; her withdrawal was followed by a lawsuit seeking to force the party to replace her. Ricketts’ campaign is trying to link Osborn to Democrats, with a radio ad calling him “Dan” and warning that a vote for him would help Democrats run Washington. Osborn rejects the party label. Some Republican voters say they are considering him, while others call him a Democrat in independent clothing. Sue McNeil, a longtime Republican voter who supports Osborn, said she sees the “Democrat Dan” label as an attempt to frighten conservative voters. Another voter, Casey Stengel, said Osborn offered appealing ideas but questioned whether one senator could deliver broad change. Montana’s contest has produced a sharper fight over the Democratic strategy. Bodnar, a former Green Beret and former University of Montana president, says an independent senator could work with either party without being beholden to either. He has won support from prominent Democrats, including former Sen. Jon Tester and former Gov. Steve Bullock. But Alani Bankhead, the Democratic nominee, has refused to leave the race. She has said political figures pressed her to step aside and alleged she was offered a Democratic National Committee job if she did so. The DNC denies making such an offer. Bankhead has also said she and her family faced harassment during the dispute. Former Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer argues Bodnar would be better positioned if he had run as a Democrat. University of Montana political scientist Rob Saldin says some state Democrats want a party nominee who can build the organization and support legislative candidates over the long term—work that an independent who rejects both parties may not do. The Nebraska and Montana races reflect a broader test for independent candidates: whether voters dissatisfied with the major parties will support candidates outside them, and whether Democrats can benefit from those campaigns without weakening their own party operations. Two other independents are also running in Trump-won states, Idaho and South Dakota. The stakes are not just about party labels. Ranchers and other voters are weighing costs, trade and fuel prices, while candidates promise that a different political approach can deliver results. Whether that appeal can translate into Senate seats remains uncertain.