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Pete Ricketts
NE · At-large
In plain English: One of Nebraska's two U.S. senators. Senators vote on federal laws, confirm judges and cabinet officials, and approve treaties.
Term
2023-01-23 – 2027-01-03
Next election
2026-11-03General election vs. independent Dan Osborn (I); no Democratic nominee after Cindy Burbank withdrew 2026-07-17 to support Osborn Race context (poll snapshot, not a forecast): AP-NORC national poll, 2026-10-04 puts Trump approval at 31 percent, the lowest recorded across either term.
Running for
U.S. Senate (NE), re-election
Committees
Environment & Public Works; Foreign Relations; Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs; Budget
Pete Ricketts (R) is the U.S. Senator from Nebraska, appointed January 12, 2023 by Gov. Jim Pillen to fill the vacancy from Ben Sasse's resignation and sworn in January 23, 2023; he won the November 2024 special election (62.58%) to complete Sasse's term. He previously served as the 40th Governor of Nebraska (2015–2023). He faces independent Dan Osborn on November 3, 2026.
Bio source: https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Official-Biography.pdf
1. Follow the money, in plain English
What we don’t have yet: verified donor records for this leader. Pending donor data source: will be backfilled; never estimated
Every money claim on this page carries its source and its confidence level; the full item-by-item money record is in the evidence below.
2. What they promised
Each promise is tracked against documented votes and actions. A status is set only from the record; where a promise has not been tested yet, the card says so.
- PROMISEIn progress
Promised to run in the 2024 special election to complete Sasse's term.
- PROMISEIn progress
[Paraphrase] Ricketts "released a plan to rebuild the American cattle herd by opposing foreign beef imports without high tariffs." Status so far: On October 4, 2026, Ricketts told the AP that the plan to import low-quality foreign beef was not helping Nebraska ranchers. He advised the White House to change that policy and look for longer-term steps to build the size of the herd and bring the price of beef down for consumers.
- PROMISEIn progress
"I'll keep fighting for our farmers and ranchers." Status so far: On September 3, 2026, Ricketts introduced the Renewable Fuels for Ocean-Going Vessels Act and cosponsored the Farm to Fly Act. In an op-ed that day, he said he continues to fight for biofuels on behalf of agricultural communities.
- PROMISEIn progress
[Paraphrase] Ricketts pledged to keep working with Sen. Fischer to secure nationwide, year-round E15: "Senator Fischer and I are working to get it across the finish line."
- PROMISEIn progress
[Paraphrase] Ricketts' campaign says he will keep working to cut taxes, secure the border, and stop out-of-control spending (site copy: he "cut our taxes, secure the border, and stop the Democrats' out-of-touch policies and out-of-control spending"). Status so far: On October 13, 2026, Ricketts credited the permanent extension of tax cuts for higher earners and an expanded child tax credit. On the border, he voted Yea on S. 5, the Laken Riley Act, on January 20, 2025; the bill passed 64-35, and he said that month that the act was a first step to help secure the border.
Verification note: Date is the verification date; campaign homepage carries no publication date.
3. The evidence
Everything on this page comes from the record below, grouped so you can find things: what they said, what they did, money and influence, and what happened after. Every item carries its date, its source, and the date we last verified it.
Open the full record ↓
What they said
- STATEMENT
On the Laken Riley Act: "The Laken Riley Act is our first step... Let's get this bill passed."
- STATEMENT
Said accountability for the federal government would be his top priority; he would bring "civility" and "respect" to the Senate.
- STATEMENT
"That's why I continue to fight for biofuels on behalf of our agricultural communities." Also: "I'm leading the fight in the Senate to support biofuels in different transportation sectors." He introduced the Renewable Fuels for Ocean-Going Vessels Act and cosponsored the Farm to Fly Act.
- STATEMENT
Applauded a HUD/USDA memorandum of understanding implementing his Streamlining Rural Housing Act (enacted July 2026 within the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act): "The HUD and USDA agreement delivers on my promise to Nebraskans. We are cutting red tape, increasing efficiency, and meeting demand to make homeownership easier for people in Nebraska and across the nation." (Kept-promise material: the law he sponsored is enacted and is now being implemented.)
- FACT
President Trump scheduled to rally for Ricketts on Oct 5 at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center, Grand Island. (Verified: KCAU plus USA Today.)
- STATEMENT
Ahead of Trump's Oct 5 Grand Island rally for him, Ricketts told the AP: 'The plan to import low-quality foreign beef is not helping Nebraska ranchers. I would advise the White House to change that policy and look for longer-term things that will help us build the size of the herd and ultimately bring the price of beef down for consumers.' He also said: 'The president's coming to Nebraska to help me campaign, so I can get reelected.'
- FACT
Trump signed an executive order onstage waiving the off-road requirement for tax-free red-dyed diesel and deferring the federal excise tax on it through Dec 31. Onstage he told Sen. Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen: "Pete and Jim, this should absolutely ensure your election, I guarantee you that." No available coverage shows Trump addressing Ricketts's Oct 4 AP criticism of the foreign-beef-import plan at the rally.
- ALLEGATION
Ricketts ads say Osborn was "funded by members of the Epstein class" and fundraised with "alleged Epstein trafficker" Dana Chasin; Chasin denied the allegations (Politico, Feb); Osborn cancelled the February fundraiser and donated Chasin's money to an anti-sex-trafficking nonprofit (campaign statement); the Osborn campaign called the tie "laughable"; the Ricketts campaign questioned the cancellation timeline. Osborn's early-October ad counters: "If you want a senator who takes money from Epstein's circle, Pete Ricketts is your guy."
Verification note: CNN corroborated the ad contents; the Epstein-association claims on both sides remain unverified.
- ANALYSIS
ELLIS Insight notes Democrats persuaded their nominees in Idaho, Nebraska, and South Dakota to withdraw, consolidating behind independents who are former Democrats; in Nebraska this clears the field for Dan Osborn, who is "again giving Sen. Pete Ricketts (R) a competitive race," though Ellis rates him and the other independents underdogs.
- ANALYSIS
Pollsmax Nebraska Senate forecast updated Oct 10 (00:00): Ricketts 52.2 / Osborn 47.9, Lean R, 75.8% Ricketts win probability. The underlying polling average (R+0.2) is based on data through Oct 3, so this is a model refresh, not new polling.
Verification note: Model output, not a forecast; poll inputs are stale (through Oct 3).
- FACT
PolitiKool polling average (Oct 10): Ricketts 47.0 / Osborn 46.9, essentially tied (R +0.1). Pollsmax forecast (Oct 11): 78.4% chance Ricketts wins, Lean R.
Verification note: Polling average and model output; poll inputs may lag.
- STATEMENT
Asked whether he would accept the election results, Ricketts's campaign told Reuters: "Nebraska has free and fair elections and voters can be confident in them. Senator Ricketts plans on winning this race." Independent Dan Osborn answered "yes, absolutely" to the same question.
Verification note: A deflection rather than an unqualified yes, per Reuters' framing.
- FACT
Super-PAC spending surged in the Nebraska race. Bloomberg (Oct 13) reported the Senate Leadership Fund has spent about $7 million through Cornhusker Majority and plans about $8 million more (a planned $15 million Nebraska commitment). Legis1 (Oct 14) reported Cornhusker Majority disclosed about $7.08 million in independent expenditures, with about $6.95 million opposing Dan Osborn and about $132,000 supporting Ricketts.
Verification note: Independent-expenditure filings as reported; the $8M planned figure is a commitment, not yet spent.
- FACT
The crypto industry super PAC Fairshake (funders include Coinbase, Ripple, and Andreessen Horowitz) confirmed it plans to spend in support of Ricketts; the amount was not disclosed.
Verification note: The plan is confirmed; amounts should be verified against FEC filings when disclosed.
- FACT
New Nebraska polls conflict: YouGov puts Osborn up 1 point; co/efficient puts Ricketts up 5 (about a week after Trump's Grand Island rally, where Trump signed a diesel order on stage and called Osborn a "fake independent").
Verification note: Poll numbers as reported by a secondary source; exact field dates not verified in this sweep.
- STATEMENT
Ricketts defended the ongoing military campaign in Iran (in its eighth month) as necessary to prevent nuclear proliferation despite rising gas and fertilizer prices; credited the permanent extension of tax cuts for higher earners and an expanded child tax credit; and released a plan to rebuild the American cattle herd by opposing foreign beef imports without high tariffs.
Verification note: Outlet editorial reliability is medium-low; the items are his own stated positions as quoted.
- STATEMENT
Asked whether he would accept the election results, the Ricketts campaign deflected: "Nebraska has free and fair elections and voters can be confident in them. Senator Ricketts plans on winning this race." (Independent challenger Dan Osborn said "yes, absolutely.")
- STATEMENT
Answering attacks on inflation, Ricketts touted the tax-cut extension, an expanded child tax credit, and housing investments; he released a plan to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd by opposing low-tariff foreign beef imports, which challenger Dan Osborn attacked in an ad.
Verification note: Partisan-conservative outlet; ad details not independently checked.
- FACT
Ricketts joined Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other officials at the NioCorp Elk Creek critical-minerals mine site.
- FACT
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Sen. Pete Ricketts for reelection, also honoring him with its Advocate for American Business Award at an Omaha event with Greater Omaha Chamber officials.
- FACT
The crypto-industry Fairshake network put $7.5M into Nebraska through its Defend American Jobs super PAC, opposing independent Dan Osborn; combined with the Senate Leadership Fund's raised $15M total, GOP-aligned outside spending in the race now exceeds $22M.
Verification note: WSJ figures as relayed via search; paywall not directly reviewed. SLF $15M total corroborated by Newsmax (Oct 17).
- FACT
The Senate Leadership Fund announced another $8 million to bolster Ricketts through the Cornhusker Majority super PAC, on top of $7 million already spent (a $15 million total Nebraska commitment). A YouGov poll (Sept 24-Oct 3, about 1,800 likely voters) has independent Dan Osborn edging Ricketts 48% to 47%.
Verification note: The $8M is an announced commitment, not yet-spent money. YouGov poll dates and sample as reported by the outlet.
- FACT
Nebraska early-vote data (TargetSmart via NBC, reported by the NY Post): among early voters so far, the Democratic registration edge is 45-38, versus 44-41 at the same point in 2022.
Verification note: Shows who voted (by registration), not how they voted.
- FACT
The crypto super PAC Fairshake's affiliate Defend American Jobs reported more than $6.7 million in independent expenditures opposing independent Dan Osborn in the Nebraska Senate race, per its FEC filings.
Verification note: FEC-filing-derived, reported by a crypto trade outlet; amounts should be confirmed against the filings themselves.
- FACT
Sabato's Crystal Ball moved the Nebraska Senate race from Likely Republican to Leans Republican (Oct 14). Cook Political Report (Oct 6) still rates it Likely Republican. In-window polling: NPA (R) Oct 2-5 had Ricketts 46 / Osborn 43; YouGov Sept 24-Oct 3 had Osborn 48 / Ricketts 47.
- FACT
Senate Majority Leader John Thune campaigned with Ricketts at a rally in Fremont, NE, saying the GOP majority "runs right through Nebraska."
Verification note: Single local outlet.
- STATEMENT
Claimed 'some Soros-related group dumped another $2.5 million attacking me' the previous Friday, and said the SAVE Act and other provisions have been 'blocked by Senate Democrats.'
Verification note: Campaign claims; the $2.5M figure is his claim, not independently verified in this sweep.
- STATEMENT
Responding to the Nebraska Values PAC ad featuring Jody Snogren about his 2022 deciding pardon-board vote: 'A pardon in Nebraska doesn't excuse anyone from jail time. In this case, the full sentence was served. The pardon was granted nearly three decades after the crime.'
What they did
- VOTE
H.R. 7008: Stop Insider Trading Act Yea on cloture on the motion to proceed (rejected 53–47 (60 required))
- VOTE
H.R. 1: One Big Beautiful Bill Act (passage) Yea on passage (passed 50–50 (VP tie-breaker); signed into law 2025-07-04 (P.L. 119-21))
- VOTE
S. 9: Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act Yea on cloture on the motion to proceed (cloture rejected 51–45 (60 required))
- VOTE
S. 5: Laken Riley Act (passage, as amended) Yea on passage (passed 64–35)
- VOTE
S. 4668: Protect College Sports Act Yea on passage (roll-call #250) (passed 77-22)
- FACT
Introduced the Renewable Fuels for Ocean-Going Vessels Act (per his 2026-09-03 op-ed). introduced
Verification note: Date is the op-ed date; bill introduction date not separately verified
- FACT
Cosponsored the Farm to Fly Act (per his 2026-09-03 op-ed). cosponsor
Verification note: Date is the op-ed date; cosponsorship date not separately verified
Money and influence
- DATA UNAVAILABLE
Pending donor data source: will be backfilled; never estimated
- FACT
Eldest son of Joe Ricketts, founder of TD Ameritrade; with other family members, part owner of MLB's Chicago Cubs. Previously worked in the family business, rising to COO; past board member of TD Ameritrade and the Chicago Cubs.
- ALLEGATION
After Cindy Burbank withdrew from the general election, Democratic primary loser William Forbes sued the Nebraska Democratic Party, alleging Burbank's candidacy and withdrawal were coordinated to clear the field for independent Dan Osborn. The party denied it; chair Jane Kleeb accused Forbes of being a "Ricketts plant," itself unproven. Neither claim has been adjudicated. Status: unadjudicated
What happened after
No outcomes recorded yet.
None documented (checked 2026-09-30).
Sources
- ricketts.senate.gov: official biography
- ricketts.senate.gov: committee assignments
- Wikipedia: Pete Ricketts
- AP via KCAU: Trump heads to Nebraska, beef-import anger (2026-10-04)
- Reuters: Trump signs order to expand access to tax-exempt diesel, 2026-10-05
- CNN: Nebraska Epstein-ad war, 2026-10-09
- ELLIS Insight: NE independent consolidation, 2026-10-09
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Evidence
Related receipts
Receipt · PublishedThey promised Day One lower prices. Then groceries, gas, and health insurance all went up.Every factual item carries its source, date, and last-verified stamp. Items marked unavailable are genuinely missing. Never filled in.