Summary

John Peter Ricketts, who was born in 1964, is serving as the junior United States senator from Nebraska, since his appointment in 2023. Ricketts is seeking election in the 2024 special election and has announced he intends to seek a full six-year term in 2026.

A member of the Republican Party, Senator Ricketts was first appointed in the U.S. Senate in 2023, to fill the vacancy created when then-Senator Ben Sasse resigned to become president of the University of Florida. Prior to that, he served as the 40th Governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. Ricketts unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006, losing to then-incumbent Ben Nelson. He ran and won for governor of Nebraska in 2014 and was reelected in 2018.

Below is Senator Pete Ricketts’ voting record and public positions on issues important to the Jewish community. 

Senator Ricketts publicly condemned Hamas’ actions on October 7, 2023,  against Israel, describing the attacks as acts of savagery and terrorism. He emphasizes the need for the U.S. to stand with Israel, especially in light of Hamas’ attacks, which he sees as encouraged and supported by Iran. Ricketts argued that the U.S. should provide Israel with all necessary tools for its defense and to secure the release of hostages, highlighting Israel as the U.S.’s closest ally in the Middle East​​. 

Although he expressed support for “security aid to Israel as it defends itself against the Hamas terrorist group,” Senator Ricketts voted against the National Security Act in 2024, which included $14 billion aid to Israel. Senator Ricketts cited the lack of action on the United States’ southern border as the reason for voting no on the supplemental.

In his communications with constituents, Ricketts has reiterated his support for Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist organizations like Hamas, describing such defense as not only beneficial to Israel but also in the service of U.S. interests.  

As Governor, Pete Ricketts expressed his opposition to the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement that seeks to delegitimize and harm Israel.

Senator Ricketts has criticized international bodies like the United Nations and UNESCO, which he accuses of harboring an anti-Israel bias. Ricketts pointed out what he perceives as a disproportionate focus on Israel by the U.N., with numerous resolutions against Israel compared to other nations. He criticized UNESCO for its stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza and argued that such positions fail to account for the context of Hamas’ use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes​​.