Pete Ricketts | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2023 | |
| United States Senator from Nebraska | |
| Assumed office January 12, 2023 Serving with Deb Fischer | |
| Appointed by | Jim Pillen |
| Preceded by | Ben Sasse |
| 40th Governor of Nebraska | |
| In office January 8, 2015 – January 5, 2023 | |
| Lieutenant | Mike Foley |
| Preceded by | Dave Heineman |
| Succeeded by | Jim Pillen |
| Chair of the Republican Governors Association | |
| In office November 19, 2021 – November 17, 2022 Serving with Doug Ducey | |
| Preceded by | Doug Ducey |
| Succeeded by | Kim Reynolds |
| In office November 29, 2018 – November 21, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Haslam |
| Succeeded by | Greg Abbott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Peter Ricketts August 19, 1964 Nebraska City, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Susanne Shore (m. 1997) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent | Joe Ricketts (father) |
| Relatives | Thomas S. Ricketts (brother) Laura Ricketts (sister) Todd Ricketts (brother) |
| Education | University of Chicago (BA, MBA) |
| Awards | 2016 World Series champion |
| Website | Senate website |
John Peter Ricketts (born August 19, 1964) is an American businessman and politician serving as the junior United States senator from Nebraska since 2023.[1] A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 40th governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023.
Ricketts is the eldest son of Joe Ricketts, founder of TD Ameritrade. He is also, with other family members, a part owner of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs.[2] Ricketts unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006, losing to incumbent Ben Nelson. He ran for governor of Nebraska in 2014, and after narrowly winning the six-way Republican primary, defeated Democratic Party nominee Chuck Hassebrook, 57% to 39%. He was reelected in 2018, defeating Democratic nominee Bob Krist, 59% to 41%. As governor, Ricketts approved various budgets and tax cuts. He was also a firm supporter of capital punishment, and in 2018 the state carried out its first execution since 1997.
Ricketts left office after his second term as governor expired on January 5, 2023; several days later he was appointed to the U.S. Senate by his gubernatorial successor, Jim Pillen, to fill the vacancy created when Ben Sasse resigned to become president of the University of Florida.[3] Ricketts was elected to complete Sasse's term in the 2024 special election, in which he faced Democratic nominee Preston Love Jr. He has announced he intends to seek a full Senate term in 2026.[1][4]
- ^ a b Everett, Burgess (January 12, 2023). "Ricketts tapped to fill Nebraska's open Senate seat". Politico.com. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
Ricketts will come in as a the[sic] most junior member of the chamber when he is sworn in on Jan. 23.
- ^ columnist, Matthew Hansen / World-Herald. "After 'roller coaster of emotion,' Pete Ricketts still processing Cubs' World Series win". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- ^ Walton, Don (January 12, 2023). "Former Gov. Ricketts will fill Nebraska's Senate seat". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ Sanderford, Aaron (January 24, 2023). "New U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts is sworn in, casts first vote on ceremonial first day". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved January 26, 2023.