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Nebraska U.S. Senate Seat (Class II)

Nebraska · Next election 2026 · 3 active candidates · $18.0M raisedFederal
About This Office

One of two U.S. Senate seats representing the state of Nebraska. Senators serve six-year terms and represent the entire state population.

Total Seats
100
Term Length
6 years
Salary
$174,000
Current Officeholders
This Seat
Sen. Pete Ricketts
Sen. Pete RickettsR
U.S. Senator · Nebraska
Tenure
3y
Bills Spon.
65
Votes Missed
1.04%
Cross-party
75
Committees
ChairFisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee
ChairEast Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy Subcommittee
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee
+10 more
Other Seats
Sen. Deb Fischer
Sen. Deb FischerR
U.S. Senator · Nebraska
The 2026 Race

11 candidates filed, 3 active for the 2026 Senate election in Nebraska. Party primary on May 12, 2026. General election on Nov 3, 2026.

Primary
May 12, 2026
General
Nov 3, 2026
Total Raised
$18.0M
Candidates
3 active / 11 filed
Incumbent
Pete Ricketts (R-NE)R
Cash on Hand
$11.6M
Election History
YearWinnerResultRunner-UpTotal Votes
2024SpecialPete Ricketts R31.3%Deb Fischer R 26.7%1,870,622
2020Ben Sasse R67.4%Chris Janicek D 26.2%865,813
2018Deb Fischer R57.7%Jane Raybould D 38.6%698,417
2014Ben Sasse R64.4%Dave Domina D 31.5%539,891
2012Deb Fischer R57.8%Bob Kerrey D 42.2%788,572
2008Mike Johanns R57.5%Scott Kleeb D 40.1%792,511
2006E. Benjamin Nelson D63.9%Pete Ricketts R 36.1%592,316
2002Chuck Hagel R82.8%Charlie A. Matulka D 14.6%480,217
2000Ben Nelson D51.1%Don Stenberg R 48.9%691,070
1996Chuck Hagel R57.4%Ben Nelson D 42.6%661,837
1994J. Robert Kerrey D54.9%Jan Stoney R 45.1%577,965
1990J. James Exon D59.0%Hal Daub R 41.0%592,792
1988Bob Kerrey D56.8%Dave Karnes R 41.7%667,339
1984J. J. Exon D52.0%Nancy Hoch R 48.0%639,364
1982Edward Zorinsky D66.6%Jim Keck R 28.6%545,553
State
Population
1,978,707
Median HH Income
$76K
Unemployment
3.0%
Bachelor's+
34.6%
Veterans
6.9%
Median Age
37.2
Mean HH Income
$102K
Poverty Rate
10.6%
HS or Higher
92.2%
Median Home Value
$239K
Median Rent
$1,072/mo
Owner-Occupied
66.5%
Under 18 / 65+
24.5% / 16.7%