For related races, see 2026 United States Senate elections.

The 2026 United States Senate election in Nebraska will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Nebraska. Republican incumbent Pete Ricketts is seeking his first full term. Former union leader Dan Osborn, who was a candidate in 2024 regular Senate contest, is again running as an independent. The Democratic nominee is former pharmacy technician Cindy Burbank.

Primary elections were held on May 12, 2026.[1] Ricketts won the Republican nomination with 81.8% of the vote. Osborn received the endorsement of state Democrats, which did not recruit a candidate. Nonetheless, Pastor William Forbes entered the Democratic primary amid accusations of him running as a spoiler candidate in the general election. In response, Burbank launched a primary candidacy, was later endorsed by the state party, and defeated Forbes with 89.2% of the vote; she has pledged to drop out of the general election to support Osborn.

Background

Nebraska is considered a red state, with the exception of its 2nd congressional district, nicknamed the 'blue dot'.[2] Democrats have not won a Senate election in Nebraska since 2006;[3] Republicans have held both of Nebraska's Senate seats since 2013. The state has been represented in the U.S. Congress exclusively by Republicans since 2017. The last independent to win a Senate seat in Nebraska was progressive George Norris in 1936.[4]

Pete Ricketts was appointed to the seat in 2023 after the resignation of Ben Sasse.[5] He won the 2024 special election to serve out the remaining two years of Sasse's term.[6] Dan Osborn ran in the Class I Senate race in 2024 as an independent and outperformed expectations.[7][8]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

  • Todd Knobel, entrepreneur[10]
  • Eric Mortimore[11]
  • Debb Axtell Schultz[12]
  • Mac Stevens, realtor and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[13]

Endorsements

Pete Ricketts
Executive branch officials
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of April 22, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Pete Ricketts (R) $4,866,649 $4,281,083 $1,072,534
Source: Federal Election Commission[18]

Results

Results by county
  Ricketts
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%
Republican primary results[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pete Ricketts (incumbent) 160,547 81.5
Republican Todd Knobel 15,921 8.1
Republican Debb Axtel Schultz 11,735 6.0
Republican Mac Stevens 5,204 2.6
Republican Eric Mortimore 3,667 1.9
Total votes 197,074 100.0

Democratic primary

Background

Jane Kleeb, the chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, said the party did not intend to recruit a candidate, similar to 2024.[20][21] In August 2025, the party endorsed Osborn.[22]

In March 2026, the party called for Democratic candidate William Forbes to withdraw, with Kleeb accusing him of trying to "trick voters" and opposing abortion access. She urged Democrats to support Osborn instead.[23][24] In an interview with CNN, Forbes acknowledged that he had voted for President Trump in multiple elections, but insisted that he was a lifelong Democrat.[25]

On March 17, 2026, Secretary of State of Nebraska Bob Evnen removed Cindy Burbank from the ballot following a complaint from Nebraska Republican Party that alleged she was not a good-faith candidate.[26] Burbank filed a lawsuit in Lancaster County District Court immediately following the removal.[27] The following Thursday, March 19, 2026, a Lancaster County District Court judge dismissed Burbank's lawsuit.[28] On March 23, 2026, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that Secretary Evnen missed a deadline to consider complaints and reinstated Burbank to the ballot.[29]

Burbank has stated she intends to withdraw from the general election if there is no clear path to winning.[30][7] She must do so by August 3, 2026, to not appear on the ballot.[31]

Candidates

Nominee

  • Cindy Burbank, retired pharmacy technician[32]

Eliminated in primary

  • William Forbes, pastor[23]

Endorsements

Cindy Burbank
Individuals
Political parties

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of April 22, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Cindy Burbank (D) $4,296 $1,872 $2,423
Source: Federal Election Commission[18]

Results

Results by county
  Burbank
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
  •   90–100%
  Tie
Democratic primary results[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cindy Burbank 110,210 89.5
Democratic William Forbes 12,863 10.5
Total votes 123,073 100.0

Independent

Background

In the 2024 United States Senate election in Nebraska no Democratic candidate ran. Union president Dan Osborn ran as an independent against incumbent Senator Deb Fischer in what was considered the closest race in Nebraska in decades, coming within 7 points of beating Fischer, contrasting sharply with the concurrent special Senate election in which a Democratic candidate, Preston Love Jr., lost by over 24 points to Ricketts.[citation needed]

In early 2025, Osborn formed an exploratory committee. On June 11, 2026, Osborn submitted around 12,500 signatures to Nebraska's Secretary of State, allowing him to appear on the ballot in the general election as an independent.[34]

Candidate

Declared

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of April 22, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Dan Osborn (I) $3,856,314 $2,784,328 $1,135,152
Source: Federal Election Commission[18]

Background

Prior to the primary, Mark Elworth Jr., the former chair of the Nebraska Legal Marijuana Now party, accused Mike Marvin of being a "Dan Osborn plant."[36] In addition, Republicans accused Marvin of planning to drop out and endorse Osborn if he won the nomination. Marvin has denied the allegations.[37] Cindy Burbank, the Democratic nominee, admitted to having paid for Marvin's $1,740 filing fee when the Secretary of State’s Office refused to take his own check.[38][39]

Candidates

Nominee

  • Mike Marvin, former labor union official[40]

Eliminated in primary

  • Earl Starkey, marijuana advocate[41]

Results

Legal Marijuana Now primary[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Legal Marijuana Now Mike Marvin 829 66.4
Legal Marijuana Now Earl Starkey 420 33.6
Total votes 1,249 100.0

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Inside Elections[42] Likely R April 23, 2026
Race To The WH[43] Lean R May 22, 2026
RealClearPolitics[44] Lean R May 27, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball[45] Likely R March 4, 2026
The Cook Political Report[46] Likely R April 13, 2026
The Economist[47][b] Likely R May 22, 2026

Endorsements

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of May 13, 2026
Candidate Raised Spent Cash on hand
Pete Ricketts (R) $4,866,649 $4,281,084 $1,072,535
Cindy Burbank (D) $4,296 $1,873 $2,423
Mike Marvin (LMN) $9,390 $5,403 $3,987
Dan Osborn (I) $3,856,315 $2,784,329 $1,135,152
Source: Federal Election Commission[62]

Polling

Pete Ricketts vs. Cindy Burbank

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[c]		 Margin
of error		 Pete
Ricketts (R)		 Cindy
Burbank (D)		 Undecided
Tavern Research (D)[63] May 8–11, 2026 1,165 (LV) ± 3.5% 48% 39% 13%

Pete Ricketts vs. Dan Osborn

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[c]		 Margin
of error		 Pete
Ricketts (R)		 Dan
Osborn (I)		 Undecided
Tavern Research (D)[63] May 8–11, 2026 1,165 (LV) ± 3.5% 42% 47% 12%
Impact Research (D)[64][A] February 2–5, 2026 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 48% 47% 5%
Lake Research Partners (D)[65] December 11–17, 2025 900 (LV) – 48% 47% 5%
Lake Research Partners (D)[66] July 23–29, 2025 900 (LV) ± 3.3% 46% 47% 7%
Change Research (D)[67][B] March 28 – April 1, 2025 524 (LV) ± 4.6% 46% 45% 9%
Hypothetical polling

Pete Ricketts vs. William Forbes

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[c]		 Margin
of error		 Pete
Ricketts (R)		 William
Forbes (D)		 Undecided
Tavern Research (D)[63] May 8–11, 2026 1,165 (LV) ± 3.5% 50% 34% 16%

Pete Ricketts vs. generic Democrat

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[c]		 Margin
of error		 Pete
Ricketts (R)		 Generic
Democrat		 Undecided
Tavern Research (D)[63] May 8–11, 2026 1,165 (LV) ± 3.5% 49% 42% 9%

Notes

  1. 1 2 Endorsement only applicable for the primary election.
  2. ↑ The Economist's prediction model uses unconventional terminology. For the purpose of equivalency, their "Very Likely" ratings are formatted as a "Likely" rating while "Likely" ratings are formatted as a "Lean" rating.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear

Partisan clients

  1. ↑ Poll sponsored by Osborn's campaign
  2. ↑ Poll commissioned by Osborn's exploratory campaign

References

  1. ↑ "2026 Election Calendar" (PDF). Secretary of State of Nebraska. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2026.
  2. ↑ Balk, Tim (May 10, 2026). "Why Nebraska's 'Blue Dot' Is Roiling a Democratic House Primary". The New York Times.
  3. ↑ Beach, Brian (September 23, 2025). "Senate candidate Dan Osborn hits campaign trail with populist, blue-collar message". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved June 21, 2026.
  4. ↑ Sainato, Michael (April 29, 2024). "He led a strike at Kellogg's. Now he's aiming for a Nebraska Senate seat". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  5. ↑ Wang, Amy (January 12, 2023). "Ex-Neb. governor Pete Ricketts appointed to replace Sen. Ben Sasse". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Nebraska U.S. Senate Special Election Results". The New York Times. November 5, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Democrats pick Nebraska Senate nominee who could drop out and back independent Dan Osborn". NBC News. May 13, 2026.
  8. ↑ Karni, Annie (September 7, 2025). "In the Battle for Congress, Working-Class Democrats Try a Hardscrabble Pitch". The New York Times.
  9. ↑ Weaver, Al (January 12, 2023). "Former Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts tapped to fill Sasse's Senate seat". The Hill. Retrieved January 12, 2023. Pillen also noted that Ricketts has committed to running in 2024 and 2026
  10. ↑ Svehla, Austin (February 9, 2026). "Candidates continue filing for office as incumbent deadline looms". Norfolk Daily News. Retrieved February 17, 2026.
  11. ↑ "2026 Elections". Nebraska Secretary of State. January 5, 2026.
  12. ↑ Rice, Peter (March 6, 2026). "Debb Schultz files for U.S. Senate after leaving mayoral race". News Channel Nebraska. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  13. ↑ Hayworth, Bret (March 4, 2026). "As filing period ends, Nebraska Republican incumbents Ricketts, Pillen face combined 9 opponents". Siouxland Public Media. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  14. ↑ Salinas II, Juan (April 10, 2025). "Trump throws weight into hypothetical midterm race with endorsement of U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  15. ↑ "- AIPAC Political Portal". AIPAC PAC. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  16. ↑ "2026 Endorsed Candidates". Club for Growth. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Nebraska Farm Bureau endorses Ricketts for U.S. Senate". Norfolk NE Radio. March 19, 2026. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  18. 1 2 3 "2026 Election United States Senate - Nebraska". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 "Unofficial Results: Primary Election – May 12, 2026". Secretary of State of Nebraska. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  20. ↑ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (July 9, 2025). "Morning Digest: Nebraska independent who spooked GOP launches another Senate bid". The Downballot. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  21. ↑ Browning, Kellen (May 12, 2026). "Democrat Wins Senate Primary in Nebraska, but Plans to Drop Out". The New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  22. ↑ Coblerobler, Ariana Joy (August 1, 2025). "Dan Osborn endorsed by NE Democratic Party for 2026 Senate race". NTV. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  23. 1 2 "A slew of indie candidates are running for Senate in deep-red states. Democrats aren't all thrilled". Politico. March 9, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  24. ↑ Kleeb, Jane (March 3, 2026). "NDP Press Release - Statement on U.S. Senate Candidate William Forbes". Nebraska Democratic Party. Archived from the original on March 18, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  25. ↑ Kaczynski, Andrew (March 30, 2026). "The Trump-voting pastor Democrats think could cost them a chance at a Nebraska Senate seat". CNN. Archived from the original on March 30, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026. In an interview with CNN, Forbes said he's voted for President Donald Trump in multiple elections but denied being a Republican plant, insisting that he's a lifelong Democrat. Asked repeatedly to name a Democrat he voted for, Forbes grew frustrated and said the party needed to return to the "morality" it represented under President John F. Kennedy.
  26. ↑ II, Juan Salinas (March 17, 2026). "Evnen removes Nebraska Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Burbank from ballot • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Nebraska Democratic Senate candidate Burbank sues to get back on the ballot". News From The States. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  28. ↑ II, Juan Salinas (March 19, 2026). "Nebraska Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Burbank stays off ballot after lawsuit dismissal — for now • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  29. ↑ II, Juan Salinas (March 23, 2026). "Court orders Nebraska candidate back on U.S. Senate ballot, says Evnen acted late • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  30. ↑ Browning, Kellen (May 13, 2026). "4 Takeaways From Tuesday's Primaries in Nebraska and West Virginia". The New York Times.
  31. ↑ Evnen, Robert. "Statewide Candidate Filing Guide 2026" (PDF). Secretary of State of Nebraska. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  32. ↑ Salinas II, Juan (March 3, 2026). "Nebraska U.S. Senate race filled with alleged 'plants,' campaigns say". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  33. 1 2 Foldi, Matthew (April 30, 2026). "SCOOP: Schumer-backed Independent candidate and state Democratic Party team up ahead of Senate primary". Washington Reporter. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Dan Osborn submits signatures to challenge Ricketts on Nebraska's November ballot • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  35. ↑ Vakil, Caroline (July 8, 2025). "Dan Osborn launches independent Senate bid against Ricketts in Nebraska". The Hill. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
  36. ↑ Salinas, Julia (March 3, 2026). "Nebraska U.S. Senate race filled with alleged 'plants,' campaigns say". Nebraska Examiner. Archived from the original on May 12, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  37. ↑ Bailey, Philip (May 12, 2026). "Nebraska Senate race hinges on accusations of trying to 'trick' voters". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 12, 2026. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  38. ↑ Salinas II, Juan (March 24, 2026). "Nebraska Dem Senate candidate Burbank paid third-party candidate's filing fee". Nebraska Examiner. Archived from the original on May 7, 2026. Retrieved May 20, 2026. Burbank, in a follow-up email Tuesday, told the Examiner she was in the election office in early March and saw 'the secretary's people refusing to take Mike's check because it was for ten dollars too much.' … 'It pissed me off, and I paid for it … I've never met Mike,' Burbank said. 'If Ricketts can throw his money around then so can I!'
  39. ↑ Browning, Kellen (May 11, 2026). "G.O.P. Plant? Democratic Ruse? Accusations Fly in Nebraska's Senate Race". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 20, 2026. Ms. Burbank said there was no collusion, and that she encountered Mr. Marvin at the secretary of state's office when both were submitting candidate applications. There was an issue with Mr. Marvin's filing check, Ms. Burbank said, so she paid for him.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  40. ↑ Evans, Jordan Willow (March 3, 2026). "Nebraska Legal Marijuana NOW Party to Hold Contested U.S. Senate Primary". Independent Political Report. Archived from the original on March 7, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
  41. ↑ Ourada, Jackie (January 20, 2026). "Nebraska marijuana advocate announces U.S. Senate bid". Nebraska Public Media. Archived from the original on March 8, 2026. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  43. ↑ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  44. ↑ "Battle for the Senate 2026". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  45. ↑ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  46. ↑ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  47. ↑ "2026 Senate Forecast". The Economist. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  48. ↑ Reich, Robert (September 11, 2025). "Democrats should forget about appealing to some mythical center". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 29, 2025.
  49. ↑ Salinas, Juan (July 31, 2025). "Nebraska Dems chair 'supporting' Dan Osborn vs. U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts". States Newsroom. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  50. ↑ Coblerobler, Ariana Joy (August 1, 2025). "Dan Osborn endorsed by Nebraska Democratic Party for 2026 Senate race". KHGI. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  51. ↑ "The Reform Party Makes First Endorsements of 2026". Reform Party National Committee. March 15, 2026. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Nebraska's Dan Osborn for Election to the U.S. Senate". American Federation of Government Employees. December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  53. ↑ "Endorsements". Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Dan Osborn picks up endorsement of Nebraska's largest teachers union • Nebraska Examiner". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  55. ↑ "Our Recommended Candidates". Education Votes. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
  56. ↑ Mayhugh, Justin (February 6, 2026). "UAW Endorses Independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska U.S. Senate Race". UAW – United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  57. ↑ "End Citizens United Endorses Dan Osborn for Senate". End Citizens United. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Candidates". Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs.
  59. ↑ "TAKE ACTION!". patrioticmillionaires.org. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  60. ↑ "Meet Our Pro-Peace Candidates". Peace Action. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Endorsements, NE". Sierra Club Action. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  62. ↑ "2026 Election United States Senate - Nebraska". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  63. 1 2 3 4 "Ricketts Has An Independent Problem In Nebraska". Tavern Research. May 11, 2026. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  64. ↑ "Polling Shows Virtual Tie Between Independent Dan Osborn and Pete Ricketts". Osborn for Senate. Impact Research. February 18, 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  65. ↑ "December 2025 Nebraska Topline Poll". Google Docs. Lake Research Partners. January 22, 2026. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  66. ↑ Weigel, David [@daveweigel] (September 16, 2025). "#NESen poll by Lake Research (D) from late summer, shared w me: Osborn (I): 47% Ricketts (R): 46% Osborn w higher favs; sample is 58-40 Trump-Harris, a little bluer than 2024. Right after announcing, before any real R messaging (July 23 – 29, 900 LVs, 3.3% MOE)" (Tweet). Retrieved September 15, 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  67. ↑ Wegley, Andrew (April 10, 2025). "First poll in potential Nebraska Senate race shows Osborn down 1% to Ricketts". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
Official campaign websites
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_Senate_election_in_Nebraska