Pete Ricketts

John Peter "Pete" Ricketts is a U.S. Senator from Nebraska and a member of the Republican Party. Born and raised in Nebraska, he attended the University of Chicago, where he earned a bachelor's degree in biology and an MBA in marketing and finance. Before entering public service, Ricketts had a successful business career at Ameritrade (now TD Ameritrade), a company founded by his father, where he eventually served as Chief Operating Officer and President. He is also a part-owner of the Chicago Cubs major-league baseball team. Ricketts first entered elected office in 2014 when he was elected as the 40th Governor of Nebraska, a position he held for two terms from 2015 to 2023. As governor, his administration focused on delivering significant tax relief, including the elimination of state taxes on Social Security benefits and veterans' retirement income, while limiting the growth of state spending. He was appointed to the U.S. Senate in January 2023 by Governor Jim Pillen to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Senator Ben Sasse and subsequently won a special election in 2024 to serve the remainder of the term. In the Senate, he serves on committees including Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works, and the Special Committee on Aging.

Senator Ricketts identifies as a conservative Republican with a focus on fiscal responsibility, national security, and traditional social values. He is a strong advocate for tax reform, frequently citing his record of implementing property and income tax cuts in Nebraska. On immigration, he emphasizes the need for stricter border security and has opposed federal legislation he views as insufficient for stopping illegal crossings. In foreign policy, Ricketts prioritizes countering the influence of the Chinese Communist Party and supports modernizing the U.S. nuclear triad, including the Sentinel ICBM program. He maintains a pro-life stance on abortion and has historically supported traditional definitions of marriage. Additionally, he is a proponent of energy independence and policies that support the agricultural sector, which is central to Nebraska's economy.