The 2024 United States Senate special election in Nebraska was held on November 5, 2024, to elect the Class 2 member of the United States Senate from Nebraska, to complete the term of Ben Sasse, who resigned on January 8, 2023, to become the president of the University of Florida. On January 12, 2023, Governor Jim Pillen appointed Republican former Governor Pete Ricketts to fill the seat until the election. Ricketts won the special election, defeating Democratic nominee Preston Love Jr. with 62.5% of the vote. This was the first time since 1954 where both of Nebraska's U.S. Senate seats were concurrently up for election. Primary elections took place on May 14, 2024.
Ricketts outperformed other Republicans who faced contested statewide elections in this cycle.
Appointment
Republican Pete Ricketts, former governor of Nebraska (2015âÂÂ2023) and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2006, was appointed on January 12, 2023 by Governor Jim Pillen. Ricketts' appointment was met with controversy as Ricketts had financially supported Pillen's 2022 gubernatorial campaign.
Applied to be appointed
In total, 111 individuals submitted applications for Sasse's seat, and nine candidates were interviewed by Pillen. Applicants included:
- Ann Ashford, attorney, widow of former U.S. Representative Brad Ashford, and candidate for in 2020 (Democratic)
- Tom Becka, radio personality (Independent)
- Larry Bolinger, author and perennial candidate (Republican)
- Sid Dinsdale, bank president and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014 (Republican)
- Greg Ibach, former Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (2017âÂÂ2021) and former Nebraska Director of Agriculture (2005âÂÂ2017) (Republican)
- Brett Lindstrom, state senator from the 18th district (2015âÂÂ2023), candidate for in 2012 and for governor of Nebraska in 2022 (Republican)
- Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Republican candidate for governor of Nebraska in 2014 (Independent)
- Melanie Standiford, former KNOP-TV news director (Republican)
- John Glen Weaver, U.S. Air Force veteran and candidate for in 2022 (Republican)
Republican primary
Candidates
- Pete Ricketts, incumbent U.S. senator (2023âÂÂpresent)
- Mac Stevens, realtor
- John Glen Weaver, realtor and candidate for in 2022
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Declined
Endorsements
Fundraising
Results
General election
Predictions
Fundraising
Polling
Results
By county
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
By congressional district
Ricketts won all three congressional districts.
See also
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links
Official campaign websites