An unexpectedly close Senate race in deep-red Nebraska recently set off alarm bells in the GOP – including a rare plea for help from a House member in the Cornhusker State. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) sent a message to some House Republicans last week warning that independent candidate Dan Osborn has made Sen. Deb Fischer’s (R-Neb.) reelection race shockingly tight. Smith even asked lawmakers to chip in money for Fischer’s race, according to a person familiar with the request.