NEBRASKA — Cindy Burbank submitted a declination of candidate nomination form requesting her name be removed from the U.S. Senate ballot. The Democratic Senate nominee formally withdrew her campaign and addressed her supporters regarding the decision.

"You deserve representation that works for you. I’ve looked at the numbers. I won’t be your next senator. So I have withdrawn my bid for US Senate," Burbank said.

"My candidacy for Senate was a privilege I’ll never forget," Burbank said. "I do not take it lightly, nor will I steal anybody else's votes and throw them away by staying in the race."

In her withdrawal message, Burbank did not endorse Dan Osborn. She urged her voters to "educate yourselves about the remaining candidates."

Secretary of State Bob Evnen's office confirmed receipt of Burbank's letter. Spokesperson Rani Taborek-Potter confirmed the filing was received by the office.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen will send a letter to the Nebraska Attorney General asking whether the office is required to honor Burbank's request. The office is seeking legal guidance on how to proceed with the declination form.

Burbank previously stated she would drop out if she determined she could not win in November. "I will drop out when and if the time comes that I cannot win in November. And I think anybody with any dignity should do that," she said. Cindy Burbank's campaign website stated that Dan Osborn deserves a fair shot against Ricketts. The website made this statement about the remaining candidate in the race.

In March, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that Burbank could appear on the May primary ballot, overruling Secretary of State Bob Evnen. The court's decision allowed her name to remain on the primary ballot despite objections from the Secretary of State's office.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen stated in a court filing that Burbank "has no intention of holding the office that she purportedly seeks." The filing was submitted during the legal challenge over her ballot access.

Candidates petitioning for the U.S. Senate ballot in Nebraska must submit at least 4,000 signatures, including 750 from each of the three congressional districts. The petition requirements apply to all candidates seeking ballot access in the state.

The general election for U.S. Senate in Nebraska is scheduled for November 3. Voters will cast ballots in the statewide race later this year.

Pete Ricketts was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2023. He previously served as governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023 before his appointment to the Senate.

Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in Nebraska in the 2024 presidential election. The presidential election results showed the Republican candidate's margin of victory in the state.

As of July 7, 2026, The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the Nebraska Senate general election as Likely Republican. Multiple political forecasting organizations assessed the race as favoring the Republican candidate.

A Democrat has not won a Nebraska Senate seat since 2006. The state has not elected a Democratic senator in two decades.