Incumbent
Tavern Research
50%40%30%20%10%0%
42%
Nebraska Republican Senate nominee?
$25.4K
MAY 13, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age61 years old (Aug 19, 1964)
GenderMale
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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.orgedition-prod-cf.sitemirror.cnn.comtranscripts.cnn.comamp.cnn.comstatic.politico.compolitico.comcdn.cnn.comcommercial.cnn.comsenate.govnga.orgperiodicalpress.senate.govblumenthal.senate.govfischer.senate.govepw.senate.gov
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.
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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.
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$5.9M
$4.4M
$2.9M
$1.5M
$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
$4.9M
$1.1M
$4.3M
$267.6K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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