Pete Ricketts
John Peter Ricketts (born August 19, 1964) is an American businessman and politician serving as the junior United States senator from Nebraska since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 40th governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023.
Pete Ricketts | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2023 | |
| United States Senator from Nebraska | |
| Assumed office January 23, 2023 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
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. 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. Ricketts is seeking election to complete Sasse's term in the 2024 special election and has announced he intends to seek a full six-year term in 2026.