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R Republican · Incumbent · U.S. Senate, Nebraska · Nov 3, 2026

Pete
Ricketts

Pete Ricketts, Republican incumbent U.S. Senator from Nebraska, is seeking reelection in 2026.

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
24
positions
9
endorsements
8
petericketts.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Chuck Conboy A+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Pete Ricketts is a Republican U.S. Senator from Nebraska, having been sworn in on January 23, 2023. 3 He previously served as Nebraska's 40th governor from January 8, 2015, winning reelection in 2018. 1

Ricketts was born in Nebraska City and raised in Omaha, where he still resides. He graduated from Westside High School and earned a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Chicago, followed by an MBA in marketing and finance from the same institution. 12

Before entering politics, Ricketts worked at Union Pacific and then joined his family's business, which became known as Ameritrade, where he held roles including senior vice president, president, and chief operating officer. He also founded Drakon, LLC, a firm that supports Nebraska entrepreneurs and startup companies. 12

Ricketts is running as the Republican incumbent in the November 3, 2026 general election for Nebraska's U.S. Senate seat, with Democrats viewing the race as a potential pickup opportunity. 111215

At a glance

Party
Republican · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. Senate, Nebraska
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Senator for Nebraska
Website
petericketts.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Voting record

How Pete Ricketts voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 23, 2023 to Sep 30, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.

roll call votes
1,606
missed
1.9%
with their party’s majority
97%

Recent key votes

  • Sep 30, 2026 · Senate · PN1129 · Economy & jobs
    Keith Sonderling, of Florida, to be Secretary of Labor
    On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 28, 2026 · Senate · S4668 · Education
    A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Aug 8, 2026 · Senate · PN1078 · Crime & public safety
    Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General
    On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Aug 8, 2026 · Senate · HR6500 · Taxes & budget
    An act making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Aug 7, 2026 · Senate · HR5334 · Foreign policy & defense
    An act to impose sanctions and other measures with respect to the Russian Federation, as championed by the late Senator Lindsey O. Graham, and for other purposes.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Jul 28, 2026 · Senate · PN1092 · Foreign policy & defense
    Walter Clayton, of New York, to be Director of National Intelligence
    On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Jun 5, 2026 · Senate · S2 · Taxes & budget
    An original bill to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 33.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Apr 16, 2026 · Senate · HJRES140 · Climate & energy
    A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
    On the Joint Resolution · Joint Resolution Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,606 votes →

Timeline

  1. Oct 6
    poll
    YouGov poll shows Osborn at 48%, Ricketts at 47% among likely voters

    A YouGov survey of likely voters conducted September 24–October 3 found independent Dan Osborn at 48% and Ricketts at 47%, within the ±3.3-point margin of error, indicating a statistically close contest.

    New polls put Democrats in position for Senate control · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 5
    endorsement
    Trump rallies in Grand Island, Nebraska to support Ricketts's re-election bid

    President Trump campaigned in Grand Island with Ricketts and Governor Jim Pillen, urging voters to support Ricketts and criticizing Osborn. During the visit Trump signed an order easing limits on tax-free use of red-dyed diesel.

    Trump signs order on diesel during midterm stop in Nebraska · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 5
    news
    Ricketts criticizes administration's plan to import foreign beef, urges change

    Ricketts said 'the plan to import low-quality foreign beef is not helping Nebraska ranchers' and urged the White House to change course and pursue longer-term measures to expand the U.S. cattle herd.

    Trump signs order on diesel during midterm stop in Nebraska · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 3
    controversy
    Ricketts responds to pardon ad; campaign consultant says ad lacks context

    Ricketts said he had 'always protected Nebraskans.' His campaign consultant argued the ad attacking his pardon vote lacked context. The ad's criticism and Ricketts's response represent competing campaign arguments.

    Sen. Ricketts responds to ad about his vote as Nebraska governor to ... · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Oct 1
    controversy
    Outside-group ad attacks Ricketts over 2022 gubernatorial pardon of sexual assault convict

    An outside-group ad featured the victim of a man Ricketts supported pardoning while governor. The man had been convicted of first-degree sexual assault. Ricketts defended the decision, noting the pardon came nearly three decades after the crime.

    Ricketts defends pardon vote after new ad attacks decision · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 28
    endorsement
    Ricketts announces Nebraska Farm Bureau endorsement

    Ricketts announced the Nebraska Farm Bureau's endorsement, stating he was 'working to expand markets for our producers' and 'pushing back against burdensome government overreach.'

    Pete Ricketts on X · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 24
    news
    Reporting highlights Ricketts's hardline immigration stance in Senate race

    Coverage described Ricketts taking a hardline position on the border and immigration, and touting Republican efforts to reduce border crossings under the Trump administration.

    Nebraska Senate race has seen tough talk and shifts on Immigration · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Sep 17
    news
    Ricketts defends personal campaign contributions in radio interview

    In a radio interview, Ricketts said campaign money he invested came from himself because he loves Nebraska. He also accused Osborn of being 'bought and paid for' by out-of-state donors.

    Ricketts discusses campaign financing, farm bill in radio ... · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Sep 11
    filing
    Nebraska Secretary of State certifies 2026 general-election ballot including Ricketts

    Secretary of State Bob Evnen certified the 2026 general-election ballot. The Senate ballot lists Ricketts as the Republican incumbent and Osborn as a petition candidate, along with three other candidates.

    Secretary of State certifies ballot for 2026 general election · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Sep 1
    debate
    Ricketts and Osborn debate at Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island

    Ricketts and Osborn squared off in a debate in Grand Island. Sharp exchanges were reported; Ricketts repeatedly called Osborn 'Democrat Dan,' while Osborn criticized Ricketts's role in Washington.

    Who has the upper hand: Ricketts or Osborn? · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police organization
    Endorsement reported in election listings; Ricketts also cited it at the September 1 debate. Date of formal announcement not established in available sources. nebraska.tv
  • Lincoln Police Union union
    Ricketts stated at the September 1 debate that the union endorsed him. No dated announcement from the union itself was found. nebraska.tv
  • John Kennedy, U.S. Senator from Louisiana official
    Endorsed Ricketts at his Nebraska Steak Fry on September 20, 2026, according to KETV's report. c-span.org · Sep 20, 2026
  • Donald Trump, President of the United States official
    Trump wrote, "Pete Ricketts has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election as U.S. Senator from Nebraska." He also appeared with Ricketts at a Nebraska rally on October 5, 2026. x.com · Sep 18, 2026
  • Club for Growth PAC organization
    Listed Ricketts as a 2026 endorsed candidate; the 2026 endorsed-candidates page was available by September 4, 2026. clubforgrowth.org · Sep 4, 2026
  • National Border Patrol Council union
    Endorsed Ricketts; reported August 12, 2026. The council's president said it was the organization's first endorsement of a U.S. Senate candidate in Nebraska. panhandle.newschannelnebraska.com · Aug 12, 2026
  • Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator from Texas official
    Campaigned for Ricketts in Nebraska on June 12, 2026. · Jun 12, 2026
  • Nebraska Farm Bureau PAC organization
    Announced endorsement on March 18, 2026. The organization's selection process gathered input from local county Farm Bureaus. nefb.org · Mar 18, 2026

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$11.23M
Spent
$4.81M
Cash on hand
$6.91M

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6NE00129(opens in a new tab)

Sources 24

  1. [1] Pete Ricketts emphasizes experience in Nebraska Senate ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
  2. [2] New polls put Democrats in position for Senate control(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  3. [3] Trump signs order on diesel during midterm stop in Nebraska(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  4. [4] Sen. Ricketts responds to ad about his vote as Nebraska governor to ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  5. [5] Who has the upper hand: Ricketts or Osborn?(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
  6. [6] Ricketts defends pardon vote after new ad attacks decision(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  7. [7] Pete Ricketts on X(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  8. [8] Nebraska Senate race has seen tough talk and shifts on Immigration(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  9. [9] Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) Holds Steak Fry Event with Sen. John Kennedy and Others(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
  10. [10] "Pete Ricketts has my Complete and Total Endorsement ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
  11. [11] Ricketts discusses campaign financing, farm bill in radio ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
  12. [12] Secretary of State certifies ballot for 2026 general election(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
  13. [13] 2026 Club for Growth PAC-Endorsed Candidates(opens in a new tab) Sep 4, 2026
  14. [14] Ricketts and Osborn trade barbs in debate at the Nebraska ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 1, 2026
  15. [15] National Border Patrol Council endorses Pete Ricketts in Nebraska Senate race - Panhandle News Channel Nebraska(opens in a new tab) Aug 12, 2026
  16. [16] VIDEO: Ricketts Discusses Making Housing More Affordable, South Fork Fire - Senator Pete Ricketts(opens in a new tab) Jun 30, 2026
  17. [17] Ricketts Issues Statement After Bill to Fund Border Patrol ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 5, 2026
  18. [18] Senator Ricketts' Weekly Column: Nebraska Backs the Blue(opens in a new tab) May 15, 2026
  19. [19] Nebraska Farm Bureau Endorses Pete Ricketts for U.S. ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 18, 2026
  20. [20] Senator Ricketts' Weekly Column: Working Families Tax Cuts ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 6, 2026
  21. [21] Ricketts Highlights National School Choice Week 2026 - Senator Pete Ricketts(opens in a new tab) Jan 29, 2026
  22. [22] Senator Ricketts' Weekly Column: Life is a Gift(opens in a new tab) Jan 23, 2026
  23. [23] Ricketts Releases Statement on Health Care Votes(opens in a new tab) Dec 11, 2025
  24. [24] Defending Our Values - Pete Ricketts for Senate(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2025
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