Pete Ricketts

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Pete Ricketts
Image of Pete Ricketts

Republican Party

Candidate, U.S. Senate Nebraska

U.S. Senate Nebraska
Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

1

Predecessor
Prior offices
Governor of Nebraska
Successor: Jim Pillen
Predecessor: David Heineman

Compensation

Base salary

$174,000

Elections and appointments
Next election

November 5, 2024

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

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign YouTube

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, 2025.

Ricketts (Republican Party) is running in a special election to the U.S. Senate to represent Nebraska. He is on the ballot in the special general election on November 5, 2024. He advanced from the special Republican primary on May 14, 2024.

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.[1]

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.[2]

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.[2][3]

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.[1]

Governor of Nebraska (2015-2023)

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

Committee assignments

U.S. Senate

2023-2024

Ricketts was assigned to the following committees:[Source]


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

The 118th United States Congress began on January 3, 2023, at which point 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
Vote Bill and description Status
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (87-13)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (87-11)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (88-9)
Red x.svg Nay Yes check.svg Passed (63-36)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (68-23)
Yes check.svg Yea Red x.svg Failed (50-49)
Yes check.svg Yea Yes check.svg Passed (50-46)


Elections

2024

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

General election

Special general election for U.S. Senate Nebraska

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

Candidate
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/PeteRicketts2015.jpg
Pete Ricketts (R)
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Preston_Love_Jr1.jpg
Preston Love Jr. (D)

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

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
✔
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Preston_Love_Jr1.jpg
Preston Love Jr.
 
100.0
 
85,114

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 85,114
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

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
✔
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/PeteRicketts2015.jpg
Pete Ricketts
 
78.9
 
173,118
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/John_Glen_Weaver2.jpg
John Glen Weaver Candidate Connection
 
14.8
 
32,529
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Mac Stevens
 
6.2
 
13,669

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 219,316
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

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
✔
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/PeteRicketts2015.jpg
Pete Ricketts (R)
 
59.0
 
411,812
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Krist.jpg
Bob Krist (D)
 
41.0
 
286,169

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 697,981
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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
✔
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/Krist.jpg
Bob Krist
 
59.8
 
54,992
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Vanessa Ward
 
28.8
 
26,478
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Tyler Davis
 
11.4
 
10,472

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 91,942
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

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
✔
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/PeteRicketts2015.jpg
Pete Ricketts
 
81.4
 
138,292
Image of https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/KrystalGabel.jpg
Krystal Gabel
 
18.6
 
31,568

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 169,860
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: Nebraska Gubernatorial and Lieutenant Gubernatorial election, 2014
Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngPete 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
Green check mark transparent.pngPete 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

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Pete Ricketts has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Pete Ricketts, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 18,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

You can ask Pete Ricketts to fill out this survey by using the button below.

Twitter


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.[11]

”
—Pete Ricketts for Governor[12]

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
EndorseeElectionStageOutcome
Donald Trump  source  (R) President of the United States (2024) –
Scott Parkinson  source  (R) U.S. Senate Virginia (2024) PrimaryLost Primary
Brian Kemp  source  (R) Governor of Georgia (2022) PrimaryWon General
Jim Pillen  source  (R) Governor of Nebraska (2022) PrimaryWon General
Mike Flood  source  (R) U.S. House Nebraska District 1 (2022) PrimaryWon General
Donald Trump  source  (D, R) President of the United States (2016) PrimaryWon General
Notable ballot measure endorsements by Pete Ricketts
MeasurePositionOutcome
Nebraska Initiative 429, Authorize Laws for Gambling at Racetracks Amendment (2020)  source OpposeApproved
Nebraska Initiative 430, Authorizing Gambling at Racetracks Initiative (2020)  source OpposeApproved
Nebraska Initiative 431, Tax on Gambling at Racetracks Initiative (2020)  source OpposeApproved
Nebraska Initiative 432, Photo Voter Identification Initiative (2022)  source SupportApproved
Nebraska Medical Marijuana Initiative (2020)  source OpposeNot on the ballot

Campaign finance summary

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.

Pete Ricketts campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* U.S. Senate NebraskaOn the Ballot general$1,206,506 $190,169
2014Governor of Nebraska*Won $8,483,772 N/A**
Grand total$9,690,278 $190,169
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 availabale data.

Noteworthy events

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 .[13]

Covid vnt.png
Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.


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.

Ballot measure activity

The following table details Ricketts' personal ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:

Ballot measure support and opposition for Pete Ricketts
Ballot measure Year Position Status
Nebraska Initiative 432, Photo Voter Identification Initiative (2022) 2022 Supported[14]
Approveda Approved
Nebraska Initiative 431, Tax on Gambling at Racetracks Initiative 2020 Oppose[15]  ApprovedaApproved
Nebraska Initiative 430, Authorizing Gambling at Racetracks Initiative 2020 Oppose[16]  ApprovedaApproved
Nebraska Initiative 429, Authorize Laws for Gambling at Racetracks Amendment 2020 Oppose[17]  ApprovedaApproved
Nebraska Death Penalty Repeal, Referendum 426 2016 Supported[18]  DefeateddDefeated
Nebraska Minimum Wage Increase, Initiative 425 2014 Opposed[19] Approveda Approved
Nebraska Civil Rights, Measure 424 2008 Supported Approveda Approved

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.[2]


See also

2024 Elections

Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
What's on the ballot?
U.S. President
U.S. Congress
U.S. Congress special elections
State executives
State legislatures
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards
Election analysis hub

Government

Seal of Nebraska.png
Who represents me?
U.S. Congress
State executives
State legislators
State courts
Ballot measures
Municipal government
School boards

Newsletters

Ballotpedia RSS.jpg
The Daily Brew
The Weekly Brew
The Ballot Bulletin
Checks and Balances
Economy and Society
Hall Pass
Number of the Day
Robe & Gavel
Union Station


External links

Candidate

U.S. Senate Nebraska
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
    		•

    Officeholder

    U.S. Senate Nebraska
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
    		•

    Personal

  • LinkedIn
    		•

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 KETV Omaha, "Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announces Pete Ricketts will replace US Sen. Ben Sasse," January 12, 2023
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Office of Governor Pete Ricketts, "About Governor Pete Ricketts," accessed May 25, 2021
    3. ↑ Chicago Magazine, "The Ricketts Family Owns the Chicago Cubs: Who Are These People?" January 24, 2013
    4. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024," accessed February 27, 2024
    5. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.6363 - Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024," accessed February 27, 2024
    6. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.5860 - Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act," accessed February 27, 2024
    7. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.R.3746 - Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023," accessed February 27, 2024
    8. ↑ Congress.gov, "H.J.Res.7 - Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020." accessed February 23, 2024
    9. ↑ Congress.gov, "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'"" accessed February 28, 2024
    10. ↑ Congress.gov, "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'." accessed February 23, 2024
    11. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    12. ↑ Pete Ricketts for Governor, "2017 Nebraska Growth Report," accessed September 20, 2018
    13. ↑ KETV, "Gov. Ricketts says he is in quarantine following COVID-19 exposure," February 1, 2021
    14. ↑ News Channel Nebraska River Country, "Ricketts, state senators turn to petition process for Voter ID," June 30, 2022
    15. ↑ Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, "Campaign Statements," accessed October 5, 2020
    16. ↑ Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, "Campaign Statements," accessed October 5, 2020
    17. ↑ Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, "Campaign Statements," accessed October 5, 2020
    18. ↑ Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, "Campaign Statements," accessed August 8, 2016
    19. ↑ Columbus Telegram, "Ricketts says higher minimum wage would harm state," June 10, 2014

    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)


    Nebraska's current delegation to the United States Congress
    Senators
    Deb Fischer (R)
    Pete Ricketts (R)
    Representatives
    District 1
    District 2
    Don Bacon (R)
    District 3
    Republican Party (5)


    Flag of Nebraska
    v • e
    State of Nebraska
    Lincoln (capital)
    Elections

    What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2024 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

    Government

    Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy







    Retrieved from "https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Pete_Ricketts&oldid=9569135"