Nebraska Voters Trust Billionaire Warren Buffet … And Labor Unions
A recent public opinion poll in Nebraska reveals a disillusioned electorate that’s deeply skeptical of elected officials and political parties. Nebraska voters had a net favorable opinion of only two individuals or groups out of a dozen options: billionaire investor Warren Buffett, known as “the Oracle of Omaha” for the financial success of his Berkshire Hathaway holding company, and labor unions, which have seen surging popularity nationwide over the past decade.
The Change Research poll of 1,048 Nebraska voters found 40 percent had a favorable opinion of Buffett, with 26 percent holding a negative opinion. The November 2023 survey, which had a 3 percent margin of error, found 42 percent support for labor unions, with 30 percent unfavorable perception.
The poll was commissioned by Nebraska Railroaders for Public Safety, a pro-labor group that has endorsed Dan Osborn for U.S. Senate over incumbent Senator Deb Fischer. The poll also found that voters favor Osborn, a political newcomer, 40–38 over Fischer, a lead that increases to 50–32 after voters read bios of the two candidates.
Despite strong approval for unions vs. Democrats or Republicans, Nebraska’s conservative electorate is less favorable towards organized labor than the U.S. at large. According to Gallup polling, support for labor unions across the U.S. has beat the long-term average of 62 percent for five years straight and was at 67 percent in 2023.
Osborn, who is unaffiliated with a political party, told the Nebraska Examiner that the poll shows people are “frustrated with our government and what they see with inflation.”
“I think Nebraska has an independent spirit,” he said. Osborn is a union leader who led a successful 2021 strike against Kellogg’s.
Buffet, arguably Nebraska’s most famous native and son of Republican Congressman Howard Buffett, is also known for charitable giving, including billions of dollars in abortion funds through the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. The Change Research poll also found that a majority of Nebraskans support abortion rights.
