Democrats knew they couldn’t unseat a GOP senator, so they backed an independent and fielded a candidate who promised to drop out if she won. Then it got complicated.

The Democratic primary is an unusual proxy battle due to the general election between GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts and independent populist Dan Osborn.

Cindy Burbank has pledged to drop out and endorse Dan Osborn, a populist independent. Pollsters say the former union president has a shot at unseating the GOP incumbent.

The party’s candidate plans to drop out to make way for independent Dan Osborn.

Democrats knew they couldn’t unseat a GOP senator, so they backed an independent and fielded a candidate who promised to drop out if she won. Then it got complicated.