Pete Ricketts is a U.S. Senator from Nebraska, appointed on January 12, 2023, following the resignation of Benjamin Sasse. Ricketts took the oath of office on January 23, 2023, and was subsequently elected in a special election on November 5, 2024, to serve the remainder of the term ending January 3, 2027. He hails from Nebraska City, where he was born on August 19, 1964. He graduated from Westside High School in Omaha in 1982, and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Chicago in 1986 and an MBA in marketing and finance from the same institution in 1991.

Prior to his Senate tenure, Ricketts served as the Governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023 and was the president and COO of an online brokerage firm. In addition to his political career, he is co-owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.

Ricketts is a member of several Senate committees, including the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, and the Foreign Relations Committee. His work on these committees allows him to influence a variety of legislative areas, including economic policy, environmental stewardship, and international relations.

Throughout his time in office, Ricketts has co-sponsored several notable pieces of legislation that reflect his policy priorities. He co-sponsored the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act of 2023 (SB78), which seeks to impose federal restrictions on transporting minors across state lines for abortion services without parental involvement. This legislation has significant implications for reproductive rights and oversight.

In addition to this, Ricketts has shown his support for veterans through the Tax Cuts for Veterans Act of 2025 (SB1108), which proposes to exempt military retirement benefits from federal income tax. This reflects a broader commitment to supporting the military community and addressing its financial needs.

Ricketts is also engaged in agricultural policy, co-sponsoring the Food Security and Farm Protection Act (SB1326), highlighting his connection to Nebraska's substantial agrarian economy. His involvement in such legislation illustrates his focus on food security and support for farmers and ranchers.

Political analysis of Ricketts’ legislative activity reveals a conservative stance, strongly emphasizing traditional values particularly regarding family and parental rights as seen in his sponsorship of bills relating to minors and abortion. Moreover, his support for tax reductions for veterans and military personnel underlines a commitment to fiscal conservatism with a focus on aiding service members. Additionally, his engagement with agricultural and economic issues reflects an understanding of the unique needs of Nebraska’s constituents.

Ricketts resides in Nebraska and has maintained an active public profile through social and community engagement. His personal business interests, particularly in the Chicago Cubs, and his previous roles in the financial sector may provide him with a unique perspective on economic and business issues, influencing his approach to policy in the Senate.