Polling Average
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
46.3%
46.6%
39%
Republican
Trump Endorsed
Incumbent
Trump EndorsedIncumbentPete Ricketts
Incumbent Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Nebraska
$576.9K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Pete Ricketts is trading at 72% to win the Nebraska Senate winner? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleU.S. Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age61 years old (Aug 19, 1964)
GenderMale
Show moreShow less
LocationNebraska
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Chicago (B.A., Biology)
Notable personal detailsJohn Peter “Pete” Ricketts is a Republican U.S. Senator from Nebraska, sworn in on January 23, 2023. He previously served as the 40th Governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023 and worked in business roles including at Ameritrade. He earned a B.A. in biology and an M.B.A. in marketing and finance from the University of Chicago. He is married to Susanne Shore and they have three children.
SourcesShowHide
ricketts.senate.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgx.comes.wikipedia.orgapnews.comlumenchristi.orgrotary14.orgtheguardian.competericketts.comdiypete.comidcrawl.comtwstalker.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgontheissues.org3newsnow.comdhhs.ne.govcongress.govaxios.comnebraskaexaminer.comnebraskapublicmedia.orgpolitico.comthehill.comnefb.orgfacebook.comchadronradio.comriponsociety.orgwowt.comnotus.orgklkntv.com1011now.comnbcnews.comnytimes.comc-span.orgivn.usketv.comtime.comsenate.govrules.senate.govforeign.senate.govperiodicalpress.senate.govepw.senate.govfr.wikipedia.orgfischer.senate.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting taxes for individuals, seniors, veterans, small businesses, and agriculture and has sponsored federal legislation to phase out federal taxation of Social Security and eliminate taxes on military retirement benefits. As governor he pursued large state tax reductions including property tax relief and corporate income tax cuts and in the Senate has supported renewal/extension of the 2017 federal tax cuts while calling for spending reductions to offset deficits. Policy priorities emphasize lowering tax burdens and expanding targeted tax relief rather than raising rates on high-ear
Healthcare
Opposes the Affordable Care Act and has repeatedly opposed Medicaid expansion in Nebraska, favoring state-level, market-oriented solutions such as health savings accounts and limits on malpractice damages. Emphasizes reducing government entitlement growth in Medicaid and pursuing financially responsible, Nebraska-based approaches to health care funding and delivery.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border enforcement and expanded border security measures, including building the border wall, reforming asylum rules to reduce releases and irregular entries, and increased actions against cartels and sanctuary jurisdictions. Has introduced and promoted legislation and a package of bills aimed at tightening inspection practices, strengthening enforcement, and restricting asylum pathways. Frames current federal policy as a crisis that requires congressional action to secure the southern border.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate consistently supports pro-life policies and restrictions on abortion, has sponsored and co-sponsored legislation to limit abortion access and federal funding for abortion, and has backed ballot initiatives and other measures to ban or further restrict abortion in Nebraska. He has indicated support for pursuing total abortion bans if Roe v. Wade were overturned and has sponsored bills addressing fetal remains and born-alive protections.
Climate & Energy
The candidate emphasizes support for renewable fuels (ethanol, biodiesel, E15) and policies to expand their use for energy independence and rural economic benefit, while opposing certain regulatory measures such as EV mandates. Public materials highlight promotion of biofuels as reducing emissions and supporting Nebraska agriculture but do not articulate aggressive national emissions targets or broad climate agreement commitments. Overall, positions prioritize renewable fuels and energy security without a clear record embracing sweeping climate regulations or greenhouse-gas reduction mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
Pete Ricketts consistently champions Second Amendment rights, supports open carry and gun ownership for young adults in Nebraska, and has opposed red-flag laws and additional definitional bans on “military-style” weapons. In the Senate he has sponsored/endorsed legislation strengthening penalties for thefts from licensed gun dealers and highlighted protecting law-abiding gun owners as a priority.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 1, 2026
Pete Ricketts is in the middle of a competitive Nebraska Senate race, with independent Dan Osborn emerging as his main challenger. Recent reports say Nebraska Democrats have dropped out or may back Osborn, which could give him a clearer path against Ricketts. Ricketts also faced criticism over a large self-donation to his campaign, and he has continued campaigning across the state.
ricketts.senate.gov+43
Articles
UTUSA TODAY3 months ago
Burbank takes Dem Senate primary in Nebraska - but may now drop out
Neutral
LJLincoln Journal Star3 months ago
Lancaster Co. voting precinct changes for May 2026 primary
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner4 months ago
Senate map shifts toward Democrats, but majority still elusive
Negative
NNewsweek4 months ago
Democrats' chances of defeating GOP in 4 critical Senate races get boost
Negative
Latest Polls
Nebraska Senate winner?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Pete Ricketts currently averages 46.3%, ranking second in this race, 0.3 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 46.3%Position: secondMargin: -0.3 ptsLatest poll: 48.0% (May 8 - 11)Polls included: 6
Average recalculated from polls through May 8 - 11.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Nebraska Republican Senate nominee?
Endorsers of Pete Ricketts for Nebraska Republican Senate nominee?
Club for Growth PAC
Political organization
Club for Growth PAC endorsed Pete Ricketts in Nebraska's Senate race.
Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police
Political organization
Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police endorsed Pete Ricketts in his reelection campaign.
Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee
Political organization
Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee endorsed Pete Ricketts for U.S. Senate.
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$11.2M
$8.4M
$5.6M
$2.8M
$0
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2024
$5.9M
$487.0K
$5.4M
$224.5K
Cycle 2026
$11.2M
$6.9M
$4.8M
$267.2K
Source: FEC