Pete Ricketts

Pete Ricketts

Republican Party

Candidate, U.S. Senate Nebraska

U.S. Senate Nebraska

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Ben Sasse

Prior offices

Governor of Nebraska

Successor: Jim Pillen

Predecessor: David Heineman

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Compensation

Base salary

$174,000

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 5, 2024

Next election

November 3, 2026

Appointed

January 12, 2023

Education

Bachelor's

University of Chicago

Graduate

University of Chicago

Personal

Birthplace

Nebraska City, Neb.

Profession

Financial executive

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Twitter

Official Instagram

Official YouTube

Official TikTok

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal LinkedIn

Pete Ricketts (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. Senate from Nebraska. He assumed office on January 23, 2023. His current term ends on January 3, 2027.

Ricketts (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. Senate to represent Nebraska. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.^[source]

On January 12, 2023, Ricketts was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Gov. Jim Pillen (R). Ricketts was appointed to replace Sen. Ben Sasse (R), who resigned on January 8, 2023.

Prior to being elected governor, Ricketts worked for Ameritrade, the financial firm founded by his father, Joe Ricketts.

Biography

Pete Ricketts was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology and an MBA in marketing and finance from the University of Chicago. His career experience includes working for his father's company, which later became known as Ameritrade. He held the following positions throughout his career: senior vice president of strategy and business development, senior vice president of marketing, and chief operating officer.

Ricketts also founded Drakon LLC, an organization that sought to support local entrepreneurs and startup companies. Ricketts, along with three of his siblings, purchased the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field in 2009.

Political career

U.S. Senate (2023-Present)

On January 12, 2023, Ricketts was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Gov. Jim Pillen. Ricketts was appointed to replace Ben Sasse (R), who resigned on January 8, 2023. Ricketts took office on January 23, 2023.

Governor of Nebraska (2015-2023)

Ricketts assumed office as governor of Nebraska on January 8, 2015.

Committee assignments

U.S. Senate

2025-2026

Ricketts was assigned to the following committees:^[Source]

• Committee on Environment and Public Works
• Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and Safety
• Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water, Chairman
• Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
• Subcommittee on Economic Policy
• Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance
• Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection
• Committee on Foreign Relations
• Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy
• Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, Ranking Member
• Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development
• Senate Committee on the Budget

2023-2024

Ricketts was assigned to the following committees:^[Source]

• Committee on Environment and Public Works
• Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Safety, Ranking member
• Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife
• Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
• Committee on Foreign Relations
• Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy
• Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, Ranking Member
• Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development
• Committee on Aging (Special)

Key votes

See also: Key votes

Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023-2025

The 118th United States Congress began on January 3, 2023, and ended on January 3, 2025. At the start of the session, Republicans held the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives (222-212), and Democrats held the majority in the U.S. Senate (51-49). Joe Biden (D) was the president and Kamala Harris (D) was the vice president. We identified the key votes below using Congress' top-viewed bills list and through marquee coverage of certain votes on Ballotpedia.

Key votes: 118th Congress, 2023-2025
Vote	Bill and description	Status
Yea	National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024   The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 2670) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on December 22, 2023, authorizing Department of Defense activities and programs for fiscal year 2024. The bill required a simple majority vote in the Senate to pass the bill as amended by a Senate and House conference report.	Passed (87-13)
Yea	Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024   The Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 (H.R. 6363) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on November 17, 2023, providing for the funding of federal agencies through January 19, 2024. The bill prevented a government shutdown that would have taken place if funding was not approved by November 17, 2023. The bill required a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate.	Passed (87-11)
Yea	Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act   The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act (H.R. 5860) was a bill approved by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on September 30, 2023, providing for the funding of federal agencies through November 17, 2023. The bill prevented a government shutdown that would have taken place if funding was not approved by October 1, 2023. The bill required a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate.	Passed (88-9)
Nay	Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023   The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (H.R. 3746) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on June 3, 2023. The bill raised the federal debt limit until January 2025. The bill also capped non-defense spending in fiscal year 2024, rescinded unspent coronavirus relief funding, rescinded some Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding, enhanced work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program (TANF), simplified environmental reviews for energy projects, and ended the student loan debt repayment pause in August 2023. The bill required a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate. Click here to read more.	Passed (63-36)
Yea	Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020.   H.J.Res. 7 (Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020.) was a joint resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on April 10, 2023. The resolution ended the national coronavirus state of emergency, which began on March 13, 2020. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the Senate. Click here to read more.	Passed (68-23)
Yea	Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".   H.J.Res. 44 (Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives relating to "Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached 'Stabilizing Braces'".) was a joint resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) passed by the House of Representatives and voted down by the Senate. The bill sought to nullify a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) rule establishing criteria to determine whether firearms equipped with stabilizing braces that facilitate shoulder fire were subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the Senate.	Failed (50-49)
Yea	Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights".   H.J.Res. 30 (Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights".) was a joint resolution of disapproval under the terms of the Congressional Review Act (CRA) passed by the 118th Congress and vetoed by President Joe Biden (D) on March 20, 2023. This was Biden's first veto of his presidency. The resolution sought to nullify a Department of Labor rule that amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow retirement plans to consider certain environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors in investment-related decisions. The resolution required a simple majority vote in the Senate. Click here to read more.	Passed (50-46)
Yea	The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023   The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on January 5, 2025, that reduced Social Security benefits for individuals who received other pensions from state or local governments. It also eliminated an offset that would reduce benefits for spouses and widows of individuals with government pensions. It also eliminated a provision that reduced benefits for an individual who received a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes. This bill required a 2/3rds majority vote to pass.	Passed (76-20)
Nay	Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024   The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024 (H.R. 4366) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on March 9, 2024, authorizing appropriations for various government departments for the fiscal year 2024. The bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House to pass the bill as amended by a Senate and House conference report.	Passed (75-22)
Yea	FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024   The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (H.R. 3935) was a bill passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on May 16, 2024, that reauthorized Federal Aviation Administration funding until fiscal year 2028. The bill also made other modifications to address various department-related issues. The bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House to pass the bill as amended by a Senate and House conference report.	Passed (88-4)
Nay	Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors (dismissal of first article)   H.Res.863 Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors, passed the U.S. House on February 13, 2024. The resolution impeached U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas for high crimes and misdemeanors. The motion to impeach required a majority in the House and a 2/3rds vote in the Senate.	Passed (51-48)
Nay	Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors (dismissal of second article)   H.Res.863 Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors, passed the U.S. House on February 13, 2024. The resolution impeached U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas for high crimes and misdemeanors. The motion to impeach required a majority in the House and a 2/3rds vote in the Senate.	Passed (51-49)
Yea	Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.   H.R. 815, Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes, was passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on April 24, 2024, appropriating foreign aid to Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine. The bill also mandated the company ByteDance divested from TikTok or the app would be removed from the U.S. This bill required a majority vote.	Passed (79-18)
Not Voting	Border Act of 2024   The Border Act of 2024 (S.4361) was voted down in the U.S. Senate on April 23, 2024. The bill would have expanded the Department of Homeland Security's capabilities of handling individuals entering/residing in the country without permission. It would have expanded the Department's capabilities at the border. It required 3/5ths of the vote to pass cloture.	Failed (43-50)
Nay	Right to IVF Act   S.4445, the Right to IVF Act, was voted down in the U.S. Senate on September 17, 2024. The bill would have codified access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) into law. This bill required a 3/5ths majority vote to pass cloture.	Failed (51-44)
Nay	Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025   H.R.9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, was passed by the 118th Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden (D) on September 26, 2024, providing funding to federal agencies, including the Secret Service, and federal programs for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill required a two-thirds majority vote in the House to pass the bill as amended by a Senate and House conference report.	Passed (78-18)
Nay	Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024   The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 (H.R.7024) was a bill passed by the U.S. House on January 31, 2024, that would have modified the U.S. tax code, increasing how much money can be given back in credits and what is exempt. This bill required a 2/3rds majority vote to pass.	Failed (48-44)

Elections

2026

See also: United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. Senate Nebraska

Incumbent Pete Ricketts, Edward Dunn, and Dan Osborn are running in the general election for U.S. Senate Nebraska on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Pete Ricketts (R)
	Submit photo	Edward Dunn (R)
		Dan Osborn (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Endorsements

Ricketts received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

• President Donald Trump (R)

2024

See also: United States Senate special election in Nebraska, 2024

General election

Special general election for U.S. Senate Nebraska

Incumbent Pete Ricketts defeated Preston Love Jr. in the special general election for U.S. Senate Nebraska on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pete Ricketts (R)	62.6	585,103
		Preston Love Jr. (D)	37.4	349,902

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 935,005
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Special Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Nebraska

Preston Love Jr. advanced from the special Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Nebraska on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Preston Love Jr.	100.0	85,114

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 85,114
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Special Republican primary for U.S. Senate Nebraska

Incumbent Pete Ricketts defeated John Glen Weaver and Mac Stevens in the special Republican primary for U.S. Senate Nebraska on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pete Ricketts	78.9	173,118
		John Glen Weaver	14.8	32,529
	Submit photo	Mac Stevens	6.2	13,669

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 219,316
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ricketts received the following endorsements.

• Former President Donald Trump (Republican Party, Conservative Party)

2022

See also: Nebraska gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

Pete Ricketts was not able to run for re-election due to term limits.

2018

See also: Nebraska gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

See also: Nebraska gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (May 15 Republican primary)

General election

General election for Governor of Nebraska

Incumbent Pete Ricketts defeated Bob Krist in the general election for Governor of Nebraska on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pete Ricketts (R)	59.0	411,812
		Bob Krist (D)	41.0	286,169

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 697,981 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Nebraska

Bob Krist defeated Vanessa Ward and Tyler Davis in the Democratic primary for Governor of Nebraska on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bob Krist	59.8	54,992
	Submit photo	Vanessa Ward	28.8	26,478
	Submit photo	Tyler Davis	11.4	10,472

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 91,942
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Nebraska

Incumbent Pete Ricketts defeated Krystal Gabel in the Republican primary for Governor of Nebraska on May 15, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Pete Ricketts	81.4	138,292
		Krystal Gabel	18.6	31,568

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 169,860
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2014

See also: Nebraska Gubernatorial and Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Pete Ricketts/Mike Foley	57.2%	308,751
	Democratic	Chuck Hassebrook/Jane Raybould	39.3%	211,905
	Libertarian	Mark G. Elworth Jr./Scott Zimmerman	3.5%	19,001
Total Votes				539,657
Election results via Nebraska Secretary of State

Governor of Nebraska, Republican Primary, 2014
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Pete Ricketts	26.6%	58,671
Jon Bruning	25.5%	56,324
Beau McCoy	20.9%	46,196
Mike Foley	19.2%	42,394
Tom Carlson	4.1%	9,080
Bryan Slone	3.7%	8,265
Total Votes		220,930
Election results via Nebraska Secretary of State.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

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2024

Pete Ricketts did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

Campaign website

Ricketts' campaign website stated the following:

“	Getting the Job Done for Our Economy A Record of Results Governor Ricketts has worked hard to eliminate the barriers to success state government imposes on Nebraska’s job creators, including heavy tax burdens, unnecessary regulations, and red tape. The last three years hold proof of the power of Nebraska job creators unleashed to invest, hire, and grow our state’s economy. In June of 2016, Governor Ricketts announced a new milestone for job creation in Nebraska: over one million non-farm jobs for the first time in state history. As Nebraska has attracted millions of dollars in major business expansions and new jobs, the record proves we’re on the right track. In October of 2017, Nebraska’s unemployment rate, the fourth-lowest in the nation, reached its lowest point since 1999. In both 2017 and 2018, Nebraska was awarded the Site Selection Magazine Governor’s Cup for the most economic development projects per capita. In 2016 and 2017, the number of Nebraska economic development projects exceeded that of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Kansas combined. Nebraska job creators are doing what they do best: investing, innovating, and putting Nebraska’s unparalleled workforce to work. Developing a 21st-Century Workforce Attracting new opportunities and next-generation jobs to Nebraska requires a workforce equipped to fill new, high-skill positions. The cutting-edge reemployment program developed by the Ricketts administration has been nationally recognized for getting unemployed Nebraskans back into the workforce while getting results for taxpayers. The reforms reduced the average number of weeks of benefits paid by over 20 percent, resulting in $13.7 million in fewer benefits needed. The program’s cost savings contributed to a 25 percent reduction in the unemployment tax rate in 2017, resulting in nearly $20 million in taxpayer savings. Investing in the Next Generation of Nebraska Workers To give future Nebraska workers a head start in the increasingly competitive 21st-century economy, Governor Ricketts has championed the Developing Youth Talent Initiative (DYTI). The program fosters public-private partnerships that bring hands-on career exploration and workplace learning to Nebraska’s 7th and 8th graders. DYTI has proven successful in encouraging participating students to pursue interests in technology and manufacturing. Hastings High School, for example, experienced a 16 percent increase in enrollment in Skills and Technical Science classes among incoming freshmen who had participated in a year of 8th-grade DYTI programming. Promoting the Silicon Prairie In the competition to attract new investment and job opportunities to Nebraska, the customer-friendly, pro-growth approach to economic development and regulatory reform advanced by the Ricketts administration has given Nebraska a competitive edge. This is especially true for technology firms that are providing Nebraskans with the jobs of the future. In 2017, Facebook announced the development of a major data center in Papillion. This is Facebook’s sixth facility of its kind in the United States. “Everything here has been as advertised — from a committed set of community partners and strong pool of talent to the opportunity to power our facility with 100 percent renewable energy. The Cornhusker State is a great place to do business.” -Tim Furlong, VP of Infrastructure at Facebook Promoting Trade Nebraska’s workforce, and the high-quality agricultural products, goods, and services it produces, make the state an appealing destination for trade partnership and new investment. Governor Ricketts has tirelessly worked to develop new trade relationships and strengthen existing ties, both across the U.S. and around the world. Trade can be described in dollars and cents, but its impact can be seen in the lives of Nebraskans across the state. For example, when Kawasaki announced its investment in aerostructures production in Lincoln, longtime Kawasaki production worker Eric Jones was given the opportunity to become a supervisor, where he earns a good wage to support his wife and three children. When companies invest in Nebraska, they are also making an investment in our people. Trade Successes The Governor’s advocacy of Nebraska’s people and products has yielded real results: investment dollars and new, good-paying jobs. In May of 2017, after Governor Ricketts’ 2015 meeting with Kawasaki leadership during his first trade mission to Asia, the Governor joined Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp., U.S.A. for the grand opening of the company’s new Aerospace Division in Lincoln, the first aerostructures production line for Kawasaki in the United States. The Governor’s trade delegation to Asia and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Nebraska Center-Japan helped open the door to Geist Technologies’ expansion into the Japanese market, helping fuel the development of the company’s new $12.5 million facility in Lincoln. Meeting with the corporate leadership of Denmark-based Novozymes, Governor Ricketts encouraged the bioscience company to take advantage of opportunities to expand its operations in Nebraska. This paved the way for the expansion of its state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility in Blair, injecting $36 million in new investment for the city and a major advance for Nebraska’s biofuels industry. In August of 2017, Governor Ricketts conducted the first trade mission by a Nebraska governor to Canada. He met with Agri-Plastics to help recruit its first U.S. facility to Sidney. This investment created 20 new jobs. Letters of intent are an important tool to promote Nebaska’s agricultural exports. In 2017, Nebraska Department of Agriculture officials signed letters of intent with nine Bulgarian soybean processing companies to use Nebraska-grown soybeans and soybean products in their facilities. Governor's Council for International Relations Building upon his administration’s successes in developing global business relationships, Governor Ricketts formed the Governor’s Council for International Relations. Combining leaders in business, agriculture, and education, the Council supports the development of partnerships to grow investment and strengthen trade relationships. Providing Tax Relief Each year of his administration, Governor Ricketts has fought to provide Nebraskans with relief from high state and local taxes, especially property taxes. In 2015, Governor Ricketts and the Legislature provided Nebraskans with $408 million in direct property tax relief, an increase of 45 percent. Governor Ricketts prioritized property tax relief in the 2016 legislative session, resulting in an additional $20 million in direct property tax relief credits for agricultural land. Governor Ricketts also signed LB959, a bill removing penalties on school districts that lower their property tax levies. In 2017, Governor Ricketts worked to advance once-in-a-generation state tax reform legislation to floor debate in the Legislature. If implemented, the plan would have reduced ag land property valuations by $12 billion in 2017 and provided income tax relief to Nebraskans at all income levels, particularly middle-class and low-income taxpayers. Governor Ricketts’ 2017 tax plan served as a precursor to the 2018 Nebraska Property Tax Cuts and Opportunities Act. Controlling State Spending Controlling Spending Means Tax Relief The only path to a balanced state budget and tax relief for Nebraska families and job creators is careful control of state spending. Through a focus on efficiency and the elimination of waste, Governor Ricketts has prioritized property tax relief while also ensuring essential state services are properly funded. Cut the Rate of Growth In Spending by Over 90 Percent Governor Ricketts’ first budget cut the rate of growth in state spending by nearly half, from 6.5 percent in the previous administration’s budget to 3.6 percent. In 2017, Governor Ricketts worked with the Legislature to cut the growth rate of state spending again, this time to 0.6 percent, a more than 90 percent reduction over the last three years. Implementing Strong Spending Controls The Governor has held the line on spending, implementing a hiring freeze that reduced the state workforce by 500, or about four percent. Governor Ricketts has also eliminated 1,500 open positions. The Governor has directed state agencies to reduce discretionary expenditures and purchases of new equipment and trim operating costs to keep spending under control. Governor Ricketts has been unafraid to use his veto pen to restrict the growth of spending and balance Nebraska’s budget without raising taxes on our families and job creators. Supporting Our Farm Economy Agriculture constitutes roughly 20 percent of our state’s economy and provides one in every four Nebraska jobs. However, agriculture is more than Nebraska’s number one industry; it is a heritage and a way of life for people across our state. Governor Ricketts has made advancing Nebraska agriculture a top priority. A strong agricultural sector is an essential element of a growing, prosperous Nebraska. Through initiatives like the Livestock Friendly Counties program, now 44 counties strong, our state continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening agriculture for future generations. Cutting Red Tape More time and money spent complying with regulations leaves less for running an ag operation and building it for future generations. When Governor Ricketts took office, a web of red tape and unnecessary regulation had made it difficult for farm families to even operate the vehicles required in their operations. Working with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the State Patrol, and the Nebraska Cattlemen, Governor Ricketts supported a new designation for operators of vehicles being used in agricultural operations. By removing the requirement that ag producers obtain a Commercial Driver’s License, this reform has lifted a burden on farm families’ time and resources. Farmers and ranchers should be focused on feeding the world, not on unnecessary regulations from Lincoln. A National Advocate for Nebraska Agriculture As governor of a state with one of the nation’s leading agriculture sectors, Pete Ricketts has used his platform to fight for Nebraska farmers on the national stage. From Day One, Governor Ricketts has opposed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) assault on farming operations through the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Under the leadership of the Governor and Attorney General Doug Peterson, Nebraska has been at the forefront of legal fights to end damaging regulation that harms Nebraska ag producers. In October of 2017, Governor Ricketts hosted EPA administrator and former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to discuss further reducing the burden of federal regulation on Nebraska’s agriculture industry. Advancing Nebraska's Biofuels Industry Biofuels play an important role in both Nebraska agriculture and our nation’s energy security. As the Chairman of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, Governor Ricketts has worked with the Trump administration to preserve the unique role of biofuels in America’s energy mix. Under Governor Ricketts’ leadership, the Coalition helped successfully persuade the EPA to maintain its commitment to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The Coalition worked to prevent Washington lobbyists from tampering with point of obligation rules, preserving biofuel as a sustainable energy resource and an important Nebraska export. In June of 2017, Governor Ricketts shared Nebraska’s story of energy innovation with President Donald J. Trump and industry leaders from across the country during a White House Energy Week policy roundtable. Growing Nebraska through Value-Added Agriculture Investment New investments in value-added agriculture have strengthened Nebraska’s ag sector over the last three years. From chick hatcheries and chicken processing plants to advanced ethanol production and bioscience facilities, Nebraska’s success in attracting multimilliondollar projects is a reflection of our state’s competitive advantages and strengthening agribusiness climate. Promoting Nebraska Beef Governor Ricketts has promoted Nebraska beef, the finest in the world, across the United States and in countries all around the globe. The Governor has advanced beef promotion activities in markets as varied as Japan, Italy, and even New York City, advocating the world-leading quality, safety, and health of this quintessential Nebraska export. Opening Global Markets for Nebraska Beef' Opening foreign markets to Nebraska beef producers has been a major component of Governor Ricketts’ Nebraska trade agenda. In the Ricketts administration’s time in office, Nebraska beef has gained or regained access to many new markets, bringing our products to consumers around the world. Nebraska Beef Producers Leading the Nation Nebraska beef producers are leading the industry in expanding the horizons of beef exports. In 2017, as China allowed the importation of U.S. beef for the first time in 14 years, Nebraska led the nation in beef exports to China. Through 2017, Nebraska beef accounted for over half of the beef exported to China. In 2016, Nebraska beef processor WR Reserve became the first U.S. firm to send a significant shipment of beef from the U.S. to Israel since Israel banned the importation of U.S. beef in 2003. Building Nebraska Investing in Infrastructure to Grow Nebraska Governor Ricketts’ mission to grow Nebraska extends across the state, to rural and urban communities alike. Infrastructure is a critical component of this mission. Well-functioning infrastructure facilitates the flow of people and goods across Nebraska, and enables Nebraska products and services to reach customers across the nation and around the world. The Ricketts administration has prioritized investment in Nebraska’s roads and bridges, an investment that will pay dividends in the years ahead. Expanding Funding for Local Infrastructure Local government plays a central role in the maintenance and improvement of Nebraska roadways. The Nebraska Department of Transportation increased efficiency and made millions in new road funding available to cities and counties by increasing the federal swap rate. Breaking New Ground In June of 2017, Governor Ricketts joined Custer County officials to break ground on the first bridge project to be financed with matching funds from the County Bridge Match Program, one component of the Transportation Innovation Act. Governor Ricketts championed the Act, which dedicated $450 million in new investment for Nebraska infrastructure. While promoting innovations in the funding of infrastructure projects, Governor Ricketts remains dedicated to the principle of Pay As You Go. This approach will ensure sustainable improvement for years to come. Taking Care of Our People Governor Ricketts believes that the best way to provide a hand up to Nebraskans served by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is through a customer-focused strategy of maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. DHHS continues to undergo a department-wide transformation into an agency better equipped to take care of Nebraska’s most vulnerable citizens while delivering maximum value to the taxpayer. Better Serving Nebraskans DHHS has focused on improving performance where it matters most: everyday interactions with Nebraskans and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. As a result of process improvement efforts within DHHS, Nebraskans interacting with the agency have seen major improvements, including: Call wait times at the agency’s ACCESSNebraska call center have dropped from an average of almost 24 minutes in August 2014 to under five minutes in 25 out of the last 28 months. Previously, Nebraska’s mismanagement of SNAP applications was so severe that the state was threatened with the loss of $17 million in federal aid, a direct cost to Nebraska taxpayers. Now, processing is performing better than ever, and Nebraska’s federal funding is secure. Improving Effectiveness for Nebraska Taxpayers Governor Ricketts has demanded accountability and good stewardship in the use of DHHS tax dollars. A reemployment pilot program, a collaboration between DHHS and the Nebraska Department of Labor, seeks to transition Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to better-paying jobs where their need for public assistance is reduced or eliminated. The Grand Island pilot program yielded an average salary increase of $6,900, and helped half of the participating families either completely eliminate or reduce their use of SNAP assistance. A new Medicaid administration model introduced last year adds new oversight for Nebraska’s Medicaid program, increasing accountability to taxpayers. Through the proactive efforts of DHHS and the Ricketts administration’s leadership to address emerging issues, the transition has been handled smoothly. A Managed Care model will deliver better outcomes at lower cost for program participants across the state. Bettering Service to Nebraska's Health Professionals As Governor Ricketts says, “No matter how well we are serving the people of Nebraska today, we can always do a better job tomorrow.” When an internal review of DHHS processes revealed poor performance in its nurse licensing process, the Ricketts administration implemented significant reforms to provide better service to Nebraska’s frontline health professionals. Reforms included simplified applications, improved instructions and outreach to nursing applicants, and significantly reduced processing times. In fact, processing times have declined from an average of 96 days in November of 2015 to just 30 days in December of 2017. It’s now easier for nurses to submit accurate, complete materials and receive licenses in a timely manner. This is just one example of the many process improvements made possible through Nebraska’s Center for Operational Excellence, founded by Governor Ricketts to design and implement key process improvements across state agencies. Committed to Women's Health In 2017, Governor Ricketts signed LB195, “Cheri’s Law,” mandating that women receive information concerning breast density after a mammogram. This information equips women and their physicians to make better-informed decisions about their healthcare. In December of 2016, the Ricketts administration introduced WIC Journey, a set of reforms making the Women, Infants, and Children program more efficient and user-friendly. Commonsense policies are helping all Nebraskans served by DHHS live better lives. Making Government Work Better Often, the best course government can take is to get out of the way of the ingenuity and industriousness of Nebraska job creators. While working to transform the culture of state government, Governor Ricketts has eliminated many obstacles the state imposed on job creators across industries. Cutting Red Tape Nebraska’s Administrative Code contains 7.5 million words, and, by a conservative estimate, would take more than 10 weeks to read in its entirety. Rules and regulations should be understandable, pose as little a burden as possible, and most importantly, be necessary. In July of 2017, Governor Ricketts issued an executive order suspending all agency rulemaking and launching a review of existing state regulations. The review’s goal is the repeal or revision of any rule or regulation deemed overly burdensome or restrictive on Nebraskans. Eliminating Redundancies in State Departments “Bureaucracy expands to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy,” or so the saying goes. Governor Ricketts has fought this expansion in state government, and is working to implement reforms that streamline operations and eliminate wasteful redundancies. Governor Ricketts merged the Departments of Aeroneautics and Roads into one Department of Transportation. The Ricketts administration also moved the Division of Veterans’ Homes from the Department of Health and Human Services to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. These reforms will generate long-term savings, ensure unity of mission, and improve the quality of services provided. Promoting a Culture of Life It’s not hard to find reflections of the culture of life that defines our state’s values. From small gestures of kindness to caring for the innocent and vulnerable, Nebraskans live out their values. Governor Ricketts has worked with the Legislature to advance policies that safeguard innocent life, preserve the dignity of people, and allow Nebraskans to express these values they hold most dear. A Budget that Reflects Nebraska's Values Using new authority granted by Congress and the Trump administration, Governor Ricketts has proposed ending the payment of Title X funding to abortion providers. This change is another step to ensuring taxpayer dollars do not support abortion providers in Nebraska. "Choose Life" License Plate In 2017, Governor Ricketts signed LB46, the first pro-life legislation passed in the Legislature in years. This law created the “Choose Life” Nebraska license plate. Additional revenue from the plate’s sale will supplement federal funds for the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program. Ensuring Compassionate Pregnancy Care Governor Ricketts signed LB506, the “Compassion and Care for Medically Challenging Pregnancies Act,” in 2017, a continuation of his commitment to ensuring the dignity of innocent life. The bill makes Nebraska the first state in the nation to require that pregnant women, upon receiving the diagnosis of a lethal fetal abnormality, be provided with essential information about perinatal hospice services. Improving the Provision of Developmental Disability Services Through its focus on efficiency and customer service, the Ricketts administration has streamlined state processes for providing developmental disability services and helping families access these important programs more easily. Previously, a family applying for state developmental disability services had to fill out 14 pages of paperwork. Now, this application has been shortened to only three pages. Before Governor Ricketts was elected to office, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) took an average of 69 days to review a disability services eligibility application. Today, that review period has been cut down to only 16 days, a nearly 80 percent reduction in wait time. Supporting Our Veterans Streamlining Veterans' Services Working with the Legislature, Governor Ricketts oversaw the merger of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Veterans’ Homes with the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Bringing all state services to Nebraska’s veterans under one leadership team has enabled greater coordination and focus in providing top-quality service, while also saving taxpayer dollars. The state’s veteran-centered approach enables more effective and efficient service to our state’s greatest heroes. Supporting Military Spouses The men and women serving our country in uniform are joined in selfless service by their families, who also make great sacrifices in defense of our freedoms. Governor Ricketts has made it a priority for our state to be as welcoming and accommodating as possible to military families. With the Legislature, he worked to make military spouses’ job transitions to Nebraska simpler and easier by removing certain occupational licensing requirements and expanding the state’s veterans hiring preference to include military spouses.	”
—Pete Ricketts for Governor

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable candidate endorsements by Pete Ricketts

Endorsee	Election	Stage	Outcome
Donald Trump  source  (Conservative Party, R)	President of the United States (2024)		Won General
Scott Parkinson  source  (R)	U.S. Senate Virginia (2024)	Primary	Lost Primary
Brian Kemp  source  (R)	Governor of Georgia (2022)	Primary	Won General
Jim Pillen  source  (R)	Governor of Nebraska (2022)	Primary	Won General
Mike Flood  source  (R)	U.S. House Nebraska District 1 (2022)	Primary	Won General
Donald Trump  source  (R)	President of the United States (2016)	Primary	Won General

Notable ballot measure endorsements by Pete Ricketts

Measure	Position	Outcome
Nebraska Initiative 429, Authorize Laws for Gambling at Racetracks Amendment (2020)  source	Oppose	Approved
Nebraska Initiative 430, Authorizing Gambling at Racetracks Initiative (2020)  source	Oppose	Approved
Nebraska Initiative 431, Tax on Gambling at Racetracks Initiative (2020)  source	Oppose	Approved
Nebraska Initiative 432, Photo Voter Identification Initiative (2022)  source	Support	Approved
Nebraska Initiative 434, Prohibit Abortions After the First Trimester Amendment (2024)  source	Support	Approved
Nebraska Initiative 439, Right to Abortion Initiative (2024)  source	Oppose	Defeated
Nebraska Medical Marijuana Initiative (2020)  source	Oppose	Not on the ballot
Nebraska Referendum 435, Private Education Scholarship Program Referendum (2024)  source	Support	Defeated

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Pete Ricketts campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. Senate Nebraska	Candidacy Declared general	$1,567,690	$621,267
2024*	U.S. Senate Nebraska	Won general	$1,206,506	$190,169
2014	Governor of Nebraska*	Won	$8,483,772	N/A**
Grand total			$11,257,968	$811,436
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Noteworthy events

Letter calling for change to Nebraska's electoral vote allocation method (2024)

See also: Presidential election in Nebraska, 2024

Heading into the 2024 presidential election, several noteworthy officeholders expressed support for changing Nebraska's method of electoral vote allocation to a winner-take-all system. In 2024, Nebraska allocated two of its electoral votes based on the statewide presidential election results, and the other three based on election results in each congressional district. Nebraska was one of two states, along with Maine, that did not allocate its electoral votes with a winner-take-all system.

On September 18, 2024, U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and U.S. Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) signed a letter calling on Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen (R) and Nebraska State Senate Speaker John Arch (R) to change Nebraska's electoral vote allocation system to winner-take-all. The letter said, "Senators and Governors are elected by the state as a whole because they represent all of the people of Nebraska equally, and the state should speak with a united voice in presidential elections as well." Both Gov. Pillen and Senate Speaker Arch had previously expressed support for such legislation. As of September 20, 2024, Pillen had not called the legislature into a special session to address the proposal.

On September 23, 2024, Nebraska State Sen. Mike McDonnell (R), whose support was needed to pass the bill, announced he would not support it. In a statement, McDonnell said, "I have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change."

The Nebraska State Legislature proposed a bill that sought to change the state's method of allocating electoral votes to a winner-take-all system earlier in the year. The bill did not pass in the state legislature during the 2024 regular session, failing to clear a procedural vote in April 2024. Eight legislators voted in favor of introducing the legislation.

Decision to self-quarantine for coronavirus on February 1, 2021

See also: Government official, politician, and candidate deaths, diagnoses, and quarantines due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020-2021

On February 1, 2021, Ricketts announced that he would self-quarantine after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 .

Coronavirus pandemic
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COVID-19, also known as coronavirus disease 2019, is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The first confirmed case of the disease in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020. For more of Ballotpedia's coverage of the coronavirus impact on political and civic life, click here.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.

Ricketts and his wife, Susanne Shore, have three children: Roscoe, Margot, and Eleanor.

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Ben Sasse (R)	U.S. Senate Nebraska 2023-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by David Heineman (R)	Governor of Nebraska 2015-2023	Succeeded by Jim Pillen (R)

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Nebraska's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Deb Fischer (R)

Pete Ricketts (R)

Representatives

District 1

Mike Flood (R)

District 2

Don Bacon (R)

District 3

Adrian Smith (R)

Republican Party (5)