2024 United States Senate special election in Nebraska
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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.[1] On January 12, 2023, Governor Jim Pillen appointed Republican former Governor Pete Ricketts to fill the seat until the election.[2] 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.[3]
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November 5, 2024
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   Ricketts: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% 90%+ Love Jr.: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Tie: 50% | |||||||||||||||||
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Ricketts outperformed other Republicans who faced contested statewide elections in this cycle.
Appointment
Republican Pete Ricketts, former governor of Nebraska (2015–2023) and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2006, was appointed on January 12, 2023 by Governor Jim Pillen.[2] Ricketts' appointment was met with controversy as Ricketts had financially supported Pillen's 2022 gubernatorial campaign.[4]
Applied to be appointed
In total, 111 individuals submitted applications for Sasse's seat, and nine candidates were interviewed by Pillen.[5] Applicants included:
- Ann Ashford, attorney, widow of former U.S. Representative Brad Ashford, and candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2020[6] (Democratic)
- Tom Becka, radio personality[7][5] (Independent)
- Larry Bolinger, author and perennial candidate[5][8] (Republican)
- Sid Dinsdale, bank president and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2014[7] (Republican)
- Greg Ibach, former Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (2017–2021) and former Nebraska Director of Agriculture (2005–2017)[7] (Republican)
- Brett Lindstrom, state senator from the 18th district (2015–2023), candidate for Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in 2012 and for governor of Nebraska in 2022[7] (Republican)
- Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Republican candidate for governor of Nebraska in 2014[7] (Independent)
- Melanie Standiford, former KNOP-TV news director[9] (Republican)
- John Glen Weaver, U.S. Air Force veteran and candidate for Nebraska's 1st congressional district in 2022[1] (Republican)
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Pete Ricketts, incumbent U.S. senator (2023–present)[10]
Eliminated in primary
- Mac Stevens, realtor[11]
- John Glen Weaver, realtor and candidate for Nebraska's 1st congressional district in 2022[12]
Endorsements
Pete Ricketts
John Glen Weaver
- Political parties
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of April 24, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Pete Ricketts (R) | $3,507,567 | $2,076,443 | $1,431,125 |
| John Glen Weaver (R) | $52,789 | $36,280 | $16,509 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[17] | |||
Results
Ricketts
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- >90%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Pete Ricketts (incumbent) | 173,118 | 78.16% | |
| Republican | John Glen Weaver | 32,529 | 14.69% | |
| Republican | Mac Stevens | 13,669 | 6.17% | |
| Total votes | 219,316 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Preston Love Jr., University of Nebraska Omaha professor, campaign manager for the Jesse Jackson 1984 presidential campaign, and write-in candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020[19]
Declined
- Paul Theobald, Wayne State College professor and nominee for Nebraska's 3rd congressional district in 2018[20]
Endorsements
Preston Love Jr.
- State legislators
- Tony Vargas, state senator[21]
Party officials
- Precious McKesson, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party[21]
Labor unions
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of April 24, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Preston Love Jr. (D) | $127,850 | $119,254 | $8,595 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[17] | |||
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Preston Love Jr. | 85,114 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 85,114 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[23] | Solid R | November 9, 2023 |
| Inside Elections[24] | Solid R | November 9, 2023 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[25] | Safe R | November 9, 2023 |
| Decision Desk HQ/The Hill[26] | Safe R | June 8, 2024 |
| Elections Daily[27] | Safe R | May 4, 2023 |
| CNalysis[28] | Solid R | November 21, 2023 |
| Split Ticket[29] | Safe R | October 23, 2024 |
| 538[30] | Solid R | October 23, 2024 |
Fundraising
| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Pete Ricketts (R) | $4,294,715 | $2,586,199 | $1,708,516 |
| Preston Love Jr. (D) | $164,288[b] | $157,747 | $6,542 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[17] | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[c] |
Margin of error |
Pete Ricketts (R) |
Preston Love Jr. (D) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economist/YouGov[31] | October 21–28, 2024 | 1,202 (LV) | ± 3.5% | 54% | 36% | 7% |
| NYT/Siena College[32] | October 23–26, 2024 | 1,194 (LV) | ± 3.2% | 56% | 38% | 6% |
| 1,194 (RV) | ± 3.1% | 56% | 37% | 7% | ||
| SurveyUSA[33][A] | October 9–12, 2024 | 563 (LV) | ± 4.7% | 53% | 37% | 9% |
| SurveyUSA[34][A] | September 20–23, 2024 | 558 (LV) | ± 4.8% | 53% | 35% | 12% |
| SurveyUSA[35][B] | August 23–27, 2024 | 1,293 (RV) | ± 3.6% | 50% | 33% | 16% |
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Pete Ricketts (inc.) | 585,103 | 62.58% | −0.16% | |
| Democratic | Preston Love Jr. | 349,902 | 37.42% | +12.99% | |
| Majority | 235,201 | 25.16% | −13.15% | ||
| Total votes | 935,005 | 100.0% | |||
| Republican hold | |||||
By county
| County | Pete Ricketts Republican |
Preston Love Jr. Democratic |
Total votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | # | % | # | ||
| Adams | 73.8% | 10,438 | 26.2% | 3,715 | 14,153 |
| Antelope | 90.0% | 3,066 | 10.0% | 342 | 3,408 |
| Arthur | 93.7% | 267 | 6.3% | 18 | 285 |
| Banner | 93.5% | 357 | 6.5% | 25 | 372 |
| Blaine | 90.0% | 261 | 10.0% | 29 | 290 |
| Boone | 85.9% | 2,569 | 14.1% | 423 | 2,992 |
| Box Butte | 79.7% | 3,876 | 20.3% | 985 | 4,861 |
| Boyd | 80.4% | 849 | 19.6% | 207 | 1,056 |
| Brown | 89.6% | 1,467 | 10.4% | 170 | 1,637 |
| Buffalo | 75.4% | 17,707 | 24.6% | 5,791 | 23,498 |
| Burt | 75.2% | 2,696 | 24.8% | 888 | 3,584 |
| Butler | 83.4% | 3,758 | 16.6% | 749 | 4,507 |
| Cass | 70.1% | 10,808 | 29.9% | 4,506 | 15,314 |
| Cedar | 87.4% | 4,253 | 12.6% | 614 | 4,867 |
| Chase | 91.0% | 1,669 | 9.0% | 165 | 1,834 |
| Cherry | 89.7% | 2,671 | 10.3% | 306 | 2,977 |
| Cheyenne | 83.4% | 3,689 | 16.6% | 733 | 4,422 |
| Clay | 84.5% | 2,767 | 15.5% | 506 | 3,273 |
| Colfax | 77.8% | 2,713 | 22.2% | 772 | 3,485 |
| Cuming | 84.9% | 3,720 | 15.1% | 664 | 4,384 |
| Custer | 89.2% | 5,206 | 10.8% | 632 | 5,838 |
| Dakota | 67.2% | 5,206 | 32.8% | 1,981 | 7,187 |
| Dawes | 76.8% | 2,922 | 23.2% | 884 | 3,806 |
| Dawson | 77.7% | 6,579 | 22.3% | 1,887 | 8,466 |
| Deuel | 85.6% | 851 | 14.4% | 143 | 994 |
| Dixon | 81.7% | 2,314 | 18.3% | 520 | 2,834 |
| Dodge | 69.2% | 11,195 | 30.8% | 4,991 | 16,186 |
| Douglas | 47.3% | 127,726 | 52.7% | 142,256 | 269,982 |
| Dundy | 91.3% | 834 | 8.7% | 79 | 913 |
| Fillmore | 81.4% | 2,435 | 18.6% | 557 | 2,992 |
| Franklin | 87.7% | 1,395 | 12.3% | 195 | 1,590 |
| Frontier | 88.6% | 1,231 | 11.4% | 158 | 1,389 |
| Furnas | 87.2% | 2,096 | 12.8% | 308 | 2,404 |
| Gage | 72.1% | 7,795 | 27.9% | 3,015 | 10,810 |
| Garden | 88.1% | 972 | 11.9% | 131 | 1,103 |
| Garfield | 91.4% | 902 | 8.6% | 85 | 987 |
| Gosper | 86.1% | 971 | 13.9% | 157 | 1,128 |
| Grant | 96.4% | 345 | 3.6% | 13 | 358 |
| Greeley | 86.9% | 1,049 | 13.1% | 158 | 1,207 |
| Hall | 72.0% | 16,100 | 28.0% | 6,273 | 22,373 |
| Hamilton | 83.2% | 4,585 | 16.8% | 927 | 5,512 |
| Harlan | 87.0% | 1,558 | 13.0% | 233 | 1,791 |
| Hayes | 95.7% | 472 | 4.3% | 21 | 493 |
| Hitchcock | 89.4% | 1,271 | 10.6% | 150 | 1,421 |
| Holt | 89.1% | 4,818 | 10.9% | 589 | 5,407 |
| Hooker | 88.1% | 370 | 11.9% | 50 | 420 |
| Howard | 83.2% | 2,925 | 16.8% | 590 | 3,515 |
| Jefferson | 77.4% | 2,786 | 22.6% | 813 | 3,599 |
| Johnson | 73.4% | 1,556 | 26.6% | 562 | 2,118 |
| Kearney | 82.5% | 2,963 | 17.5% | 627 | 3,590 |
| Keith | 84.2% | 3,486 | 15.8% | 656 | 4,142 |
| Keya Paha | 93.6% | 498 | 6.4% | 34 | 532 |
| Kimball | 85.6% | 1,444 | 14.4% | 242 | 1,686 |
| Knox | 84.9% | 3,727 | 15.1% | 662 | 4,389 |
| Lancaster | 49.5% | 77,189 | 50.5% | 78,598 | 155,787 |
| Lincoln | 79.8% | 13,034 | 20.2% | 3,296 | 16,330 |
| Logan | 94.3% | 417 | 5.7% | 25 | 442 |
| Loup | 85.0% | 364 | 15.0% | 64 | 432 |
| Madison | 80.2% | 12,376 | 19.8% | 3,054 | 15,430 |
| McPherson | 96.1% | 268 | 3.9% | 11 | 279 |
| Merrick | 84.8% | 3,645 | 15.2% | 654 | 4,299 |
| Morrill | 86.0% | 2,047 | 14.0% | 332 | 2,379 |
| Nance | 82.8% | 1,473 | 17.2% | 306 | 1,779 |
| Nemaha | 74.1% | 2,490 | 25.9% | 869 | 3,359 |
| Nuckolls | 85.2% | 1,894 | 14.8% | 328 | 2,222 |
| Otoe | 71.0% | 5,717 | 29.0% | 2,331 | 8,048 |
| Pawnee | 79.3% | 1,078 | 20.7% | 282 | 1,360 |
| Perkins | 88.8% | 1,247 | 11.2% | 158 | 1,405 |
| Phelps | 86.7% | 4,283 | 13.3% | 657 | 4,940 |
| Pierce | 89.7% | 3,471 | 10.3% | 398 | 3,869 |
| Platte | 81.9% | 12,709 | 18.1% | 2,818 | 15,527 |
| Polk | 84.0% | 2,360 | 16.0% | 448 | 2,808 |
| Red Willow | 74.5% | 3,919 | 25.5% | 1,338 | 5,257 |
| Richardson | 77.9% | 2,980 | 22.1% | 847 | 3,827 |
| Rock | 92.1% | 745 | 7.9% | 64 | 809 |
| Saline | 68.3% | 3,809 | 31.7% | 1,765 | 5,574 |
| Sarpy | 58.4% | 57,907 | 41.6% | 41,332 | 99,239 |
| Saunders | 75.7% | 10,081 | 24.3% | 3,240 | 4,321 |
| Scotts Bluff | 75.8% | 11,302 | 24.2% | 3,599 | 14,901 |
| Seward | 76.4% | 6,981 | 23.6% | 2,157 | 9,138 |
| Sheridan | 86.9% | 2,123 | 13.1% | 319 | 2,442 |
| Sherman | 82.7% | 1,367 | 17.3% | 286 | 1,653 |
| Sioux | 91.1% | 612 | 8.9% | 60 | 672 |
| Stanton | 85.3% | 2,599 | 14.7% | 447 | 3,046 |
| Thayer | 84.1% | 2,384 | 15.9% | 452 | 2,836 |
| Thomas | 89.4% | 346 | 10.6% | 41 | 387 |
| Thurston | 59.9% | 1,234 | 40.1% | 825 | 2,059 |
| Valley | 85.8% | 1,935 | 14.2% | 321 | 2,256 |
| Washington | 73.8% | 9,145 | 26.2% | 3,239 | 12,384 |
| Wayne | 77.9% | 3,160 | 22.1% | 894 | 4,054 |
| Webster | 84.9% | 1,477 | 15.1% | 262 | 1,739 |
| Wheeler | 89.5% | 419 | 10.5% | 49 | 468 |
| York | 79.1% | 5,470 | 20.9% | 1,448 | 6,918 |
- Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
|
Democratic
Flip |
Republican
Hold
|
By congressional district
Ricketts won all three congressional districts.[37]
| District | Ricketts | Love Jr. | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 59% | 41% | Mike Flood |
| 2nd | 50.2% | 49.8% | Don Bacon |
| 3rd | 79% | 21% | Adrian Smith |
See also
Notes
- In January 2023, Ricketts was appointed by Governor Jim Pillen to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Ben Sasse, who had become the president of University of Florida.
- $58,832 of this total was self-funded by Love Jr.
- Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
Partisan clients
- Poll sponsored by the campaign of Dan Osborn, an independent candidate for Nebraska's other Senate seat
- Poll sponsored by Split Ticket