Map › Nebraska › Pete Ricketts

Pete Ricketts

Republican candidate for United States Senator, Nebraska · Incumbent

U.S. Senator from Nebraska (incumbent)

Pete Ricketts is a Republican who has served as U.S. Senator from Nebraska since January 2023, when he was appointed to the seat; before that he was Nebraska's governor from 2015 to 2023. He won the 2024 special election for the rest of the term with 62.6% of the vote. He won the May 12, 2026 Republican primary with 81.5% of the vote and is seeking his first full term.

Where Ricketts stands

Taxes

Supports the Republican-backed 'Working Families Tax Cut' law. He says it put money back in Nebraskans' pockets and prevented a $2,400 tax increase.

Tariffs and trade

Supports tariffs as a way to level the playing field with countries that put higher tariffs on American products.

Beef prices and agriculture

Says bringing in more foreign beef would not solve the problem in the long term, and that expanding the U.S. cattle herd is how to lower prices for consumers.

Border security and immigration

Supports more spending on border security and immigration enforcement.

Iran

Says Iran cannot be allowed to get a nuclear weapon and that the U.S. must keep up pressure on the country.

Cost of living

Calls cost of living one of the biggest issues for voters. He links rising grocery and gas prices to the Biden administration.

Background

• U.S. Senator from Nebraska, appointed January 2023; won the 2024 special election
• Governor of Nebraska, 2015–2023
• Born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, August 19, 1964
• Graduated from Westside High School, Omaha, 1982
• B.A. in biology

In the news

• Group questions more Ricketts pardons as Osborn defends comments on Fischer Omaha World-Herald, October 18, 2026
• Cost of living looms over Nebraska Senate race Nebraska Examiner, October 13, 2026
• Nebraska Senate race: Dan Osborn called out by Ricketts after audio recording leaked WOWT, September 16, 2026

Also running for United States Senator

• Mike Marvin Legal Marijuana NOW
• Robin Richards Nebraska Working People
• Chuck Conboy America First
• Dan Osborn By Petition

Sources

• Flatwater Free Press / News Channel Nebraska – coverage of the Sept. 1 State Fair debate
• Nebraska Examiner – Cost of living looms over Nebraska Senate race
• Wikipedia – 2026 U.S. Senate election in Nebraska (primary results)
• Wikipedia – 2024 U.S. Senate special election in Nebraska
• Cook Political Report – NE Senate 2026 (biography)
• Ballotpedia – U.S. Senate election in Nebraska, 2026

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.