Who is Pete Ricketts and what is Ricketts running on in the 2026 Nebraska Senate race?

Pete Ricketts is the Republican candidate for Nebraska U.S. Senate, and the incumbent. US Senator since 2023 (appointed, won 2024 special); two-term Nebraska governor (2015-2023); former TD Ameritrade executive whose family owns the Chicago Cubs. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

The race

• The seat: Incumbent Republican Pete Ricketts (appointed 2023, won 2024 special) seeking a full term; independent Dan Osborn is running.
• Polling: Osborn 47, Ricketts 47 (Impact Research, Aug 9 to 13, 2026, likely Osborn/Dem-aligned internal); Tavern Research May 8 to 11: Osborn 47, Ricketts 42.

Why Ricketts is ahead

• Nebraska’s strong GOP lean: Trump won by 20+ points and Republicans outnumber Democrats roughly 620K to 328K in registration.
• Ricketts’ campaign says Osborn’s internal polls were off by 12 points in 2024.
• Osborn is a proven over-performer: he lost to Deb Fischer by under 7 points in 2024 in a Trump +20 state.
• Ricketts has been weak on favorability (38/45 in a 2025 Change Research poll).

What Ricketts is running on

• Social Security. Says Social Security benefits should be completely tax-free (Sept 2025).
• Tariffs. Has said tariffs are hurting Americans and specifically Nebraskans (Apr 2025).
• Labor. Sponsored the National Right to Work Act; opposes a mandated minimum wage.
• Taxes. Favors cutting corporate and top individual income taxes.
• Abortion. Anti-abortion; believes life begins at conception.
• Foreign policy. Supports protecting Ukraine from further Russian aggression (Feb 2025).

The other candidates

• Dan Osborn (I)

Every race

See every Senate and governor race on the ballot, with each candidate’s chance of winning: the 2026 midterms at a glance.