Nebraska Senate Candidate Cancels Fundraiser Over Co-Host's Epstein Link

Dan Osborn nixes event after Democratic operative Dana Chasin's name surfaces in DOJ files.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Nebraska Senate candidate Dan Osborn has abruptly canceled a Tuesday fundraiser that was set to be co-hosted by Democratic operative Dana Chasin, whose name recently surfaced in the Jeffrey Epstein files as allegedly transporting young girls for the late convicted sex offender.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the scrutiny political candidates face over their associations and the vetting process for campaign events and co-hosts. It also underscores the continued fallout from the Epstein scandal and the pressure on politicians to distance themselves from anyone linked to the disgraced financier.

The details

Chasin, a Rockefeller heir who has advised high-profile Democratic politicians, was listed as a co-host on an invitation for the Washington event benefiting Osborn, who is running as an independent against GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts. Chasin's name appears in a March 2024 email sent to the Justice Department by a lawyer representing a young woman who alleged Chasin flew her on a private plane to Epstein's Manhattan townhouse for sex with powerful men.

  • The fundraiser was scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
  • Chasin's name surfaced in a March 2024 email to the DOJ.

The players

Dan Osborn

A Nebraska Senate candidate running as an independent against GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts.

Dana Chasin

A Democratic operative and Rockefeller heir who has advised high-profile Democratic politicians, including Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and former Sens. Tim Johnson and Jon Tester.

Jeanne Christensen

A lawyer representing a young unnamed woman who alleged Chasin flew her on a private plane to Epstein's Manhattan townhouse for sex with powerful men.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Anyone who hurt kids or engaged in other illegal activity needs to be arrested and prosecuted.”

— Osborn campaign spokesperson (POLITICO)

“There is a small, powerful group of ELITES who think they can do anything they want on this earth. They think they are deserving. They think they are exceptional.”

— Dan Osborn (X)

What’s next

The lawyer representing the young woman who alleged Chasin's involvement, Jeanne Christensen, did not respond to a request for further comment.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges political candidates face in vetting their associates and the heightened scrutiny around any connections to the Epstein scandal, even tangential ones. It underscores the importance of thorough background checks and the need for candidates to distance themselves from anyone with alleged ties to sexual misconduct or abuse.