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2026 U.S. Senate election in Nebraska

Election: 11/3/2026
U.S. Senate • Nebraska
Updated: 4/6/2026

Nebraska voters will elect one U.S. senator in 2026 for the Class II seat currently held by Pete Ricketts. The race matters because it will help determine control of the U.S. Senate, and Nebraska is generally a Republican-leaning state even though Dan Osborn ran competitively as an independent in 2024. The contest highlights a contrast between an incumbent Republican senator with statewide executive experience and an independent challenger emphasizing working-class and anti-establishment themes.

Latest Poll

Lake Research Partners · Dec 17

Osborn
48%
Ricketts
48%
View detailed results ↓

Candidates

Pete Ricketts

Pete Ricketts

R Incumbent

Pete Ricketts is Nebraska’s junior U.S. senator and a former two-term governor of the state. His campaign and Senate biography emphasize tax cuts, government efficiency, agriculture, and conservative policy priorities.

Dan Osborn is a Navy veteran, industrial mechanic, and former labor union leader from Omaha. He is running as an independent and has framed his campaign around working-class economics, political independence, and a populist critique of both parties.

Polling

Lake Research Partners Dec 17, 2025
n=600
Dan Osborn
48%
Pete Ricketts
48%
Source

Data Analysis Information

Data compiled from public sources and analyzed using AI. Last updated 4/6/2026. Visit candidate websites for the most current information.

Models: GPT-5 MiniGPT-5 Nano

© 2026 Smarter.vote. Analyzing public information to help voters make informed decisions.

Always verify information by visiting candidate websites directly. This tool provides analysis for informational purposes only.