Senate race · 2026

Nebraska Senate Race

Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts is seeking his first full six-year term after being appointed in 2023 and winning a special election in 2024. The state is considered a Republican stronghold, though the race features a prominent independent candidate.

All 2026 races

3 candidates · what each one campaigns on

Pete Ricketts

Republican · Incumbent

Their record

Currently: U.S. Senator

John Peter (Pete) Ricketts is the junior U.S. senator for Nebraska and previously served as Nebraska’s 40th governor.

Campaign platform

Military Action Oversight
Ricketts believes Congress should exercise oversight without limiting the president's ability to act quickly to keep Americans safe.
DefenseSource
Trade Policy
Ricketts believes Americans deserve a level playing field in global commerce and that Congress should ensure fair trade practices.
EconomySource
Border Security
Ricketts supports securing the border and ensuring national security.
ImmigrationSource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Dan Osborn

Independent

Dan Osborn is a former union leader who previously ran for the U.S. Senate in 2024.

Campaign platform

Rural Nebraska Support
Osborn is touring all 93 counties to highlight issues like the farm crisis and right to repair for agricultural producers.
AgricultureSource
Healthcare Access
Osborn believes Nebraskans should not have to choose between healthcare accessibility and staying in their homes.
HealthSource
Economic Populism
Osborn focuses on economic issues and affordability, criticizing the wealthiest 1% and redirecting from 'culture war' topics.
EconomySource
Workers' Rights
Osborn’s working-class emphasis is rooted in his labor organizing background.
EconomySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Mike Marvin

Legal Marijuana NOW

Mike Marvin is a retired former executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees.

Campaign platform

Legalize marijuana
Runs on national marijuana legalization as his party's signature issue.
Justice & Public SafetySource
Public employee and labor rights
A former public employees union leader who campaigns on worker protections.
EconomySource

Campaign site Ballotpedia profile

Platform items are drawn from candidates’ own campaign materials and public reporting, summarised neutrally. They are what a candidate says they will do — not a judgement about whether they will do it. Once a candidate is serving in Congress, their record moves to the The Informed Ballot profiles.