Independent candidates sense a moment in the West. Democrats are hoping they're right

As they look to win the Senate, Democrats are hoping that independent candidates in Nebraska and Montana can help them topple Republicans in a part of the country where their own brand is hurting.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5687x3791+0+0/resize/5687x3791!/quality/85/format/webp/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F27%2Ff6%2F968f42944a9f8390602cae4af2ab%2Fgettyimages-2294044636.jpg' alt='Pins and bumper stickers supporting Dan Osborn's candidacy for U.S. Senate sit on a campaign table on Sept. 3, 2026 at Pals Brewing Company in North Platte, Neb. Osborn, a 51-year-old Navy veteran, is running as an independent.'/><p>As they look to win the Senate, Democrats are hoping that independent candidates in Nebraska and Montana can help them topple Republicans in a part of the country where their own brand is hurting.</p><p>(Image credit: Austin Johnson)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5995460' />