Nebraska Senate race 2026: Ricketts vs. Osborn
General election, November 3, 2026 · U.S. Senate in Nebraska. Incumbent Pete Ricketts (R), first full term
Pete Ricketts
Nebraska's junior senator since 2023 and its governor for eight years before that; Republican nominee against independent Dan Osborn on November 3.
Read the documented profile of Pete RickettsDan Osborn
Registered nonpartisan from Omaha; candidate by petition for U.S. Senate from Nebraska in 2024 and 2026
The general-election field as the board records it: Pete Ricketts (R) vs. Dan Osborn (I) vs. Mike Marvin (LMN); no Democrat (Burbank withdrew July to back Osborn)
The race at a glance
Board data as of . Ratings are the raters' own current calls; polls are the newest public ones with their field dates; money is what the committees reported. Nothing here is a forecast.
- Seat
- Incumbent Pete Ricketts (R), first full term
- Primary
- (NE SOS, 100% precincts): R Ricketts 160,547 (81.5%); D Burbank 110,210 (then withdrew)
- Ratings
- Cook Likely R (); Sabato Likely R (); IE Likely R ()
- Newest public polling
- SurveyUSA Sep 8–13 n=503 LV: Osborn 46 / Ricketts 42; Impact Research (D) Aug 9–13 n=600 LV: 47/47; Tavern (D) May 8–11 n=1,165: Osborn 47 / Ricketts 42
- Reported money
- FEC : Ricketts $11,233,507 raised / $6,910,970 COH; Osborn $5,751,951 / $2,421,487
- Notable
- Win It Back $2M anti-Osborn buy announced ('Social Security benefits and amnesty to illegal aliens'). Trump endorsed Ricketts . Republicans have not lost a NE Senate race since 2006; every public poll since May shows a tie or Osborn lead.
Key dates in Nebraska
Read from the Nebraska Secretary of State. The full guide, with the official tools, is on the Nebraska page.
- Voter registration deadline — onlineOctober 16, 2026, prior to midnight — last day a voter registration can be completed online. The state's online registration FAQ puts the cutoff at 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time. sos.nebraska.gov
- In-person early voting startsOctober 5, 2026 — first day for early voting in person at the county clerk or election commissioner office. sos.nebraska.gov
- Deadline to request an early voting ballot by mailOctober 23, 2026, at 6 PM — last day for the county election office to receive an application for an early voting ballot to be mailed out. sos.nebraska.gov
- Deadline to return an early voting ballot (received, not postmarked)November 3, 2026, 8 PM CT (7 PM MT) — an early voting ballot returned by mail must be in the possession of the county clerk or election commissioner by then. The same deadline applies to ballots returned in person, by agent or in a secure ballot drop-box. sos.nebraska.gov
- Election DayNovember 3, 2026 — Statewide General Election Day. sos.nebraska.gov
- Poll hoursNovember 3, 2026 — polls open at 8 AM CT (7 AM MT) and close at 8 PM CT (7 PM MT). sos.nebraska.gov
Voting in Nebraska: dates, rules and official tools
Questions and answers
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Nebraska in 2026?
Pete Ricketts (R) vs. Dan Osborn (I) vs. Mike Marvin (LMN); no Democrat (Burbank withdrew July to back Osborn) (as of Sep 15, 2026).
When is the election?
The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Voter registration deadline — online: October 16, 2026, prior to midnight — last day a voter registration can be completed online. The state's online registration FAQ puts the cutoff at 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time.
How do the raters see this race?
Cook Likely R (Aug 20); Sabato Likely R (Aug 26); IE Likely R (Sep 3) (as of Sep 15, 2026).
What do the polls show?
SurveyUSA Sep 8–13 n=503 LV: Osborn 46 / Ricketts 42; Impact Research (D) Aug 9–13 n=600 LV: 47/47; Tavern (D) May 8–11 n=1,165: Osborn 47 / Ricketts 42 (as of Sep 15, 2026).
How much money has been reported?
FEC Jun 30: Ricketts $11,233,507 raised / $6,910,970 COH; Osborn $5,751,951 / $2,421,487 (as of Sep 15, 2026).