Pete Ricketts (R, Class 2) runs for his first full Senate term in 2026. He was appointed in January 2023 after Ben Sasse vacated the Class 2 seat. Deb Fischer (R, Class 1) was re-elected in 2024 and is not up until 2030.
- Pete Ricketts (R, Class 2) is running for the first full term on this seat. Appointed January 2023 to fill Ben Sasse's vacancy. Former Nebraska Governor (2015–2023). Race rated Safe Republican.
- Ben Sasse resigned January 2023 to become president of the University of Florida. Sasse had won the Class 2 seat in 2014 (first elected) and 2020.
- Trump won Nebraska by approximately 21 points in 2024 (statewide; NE-2 congressional district splits electoral votes).
- Deb Fischer (R, Class 1) was re-elected in 2024 — not up until 2030.
Key Facts — Nebraska Senate 2026
Historical Results — Nebraska Senate (Class 2)
2026 Senate Context & National Landscape
While Nebraska has no competitive Senate race in 2026, the national Senate landscape is highly consequential. Democrats hold a narrow path to a Senate majority, requiring net gains in a map that favors Republicans. The Generic Ballot currently shows Democrats with a significant national advantage, but Senate maps often diverge from House dynamics due to state-specific factors.
Key competitive Senate races in 2026 include Georgia (Ossoff, D), Nevada (Rosen, D), Ohio (special election), Iowa (open seat), and Montana (Daines, R). The outcome of these races will determine Senate control through 2028. See the full Senate 2026 overview for all 33 Class 2 seats and current ratings.
National factors shaping all 2026 races include Trump's approval rating (currently at 38.1% approve, 59.2% disapprove), the economic outlook following Liberation Day tariffs, and immigration enforcement as a mobilizing issue for both base voters. The independent and swing voter bloc will be decisive in competitive states, while safe states like Nebraska are largely insulated from national wave dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running for Senate in Nebraska in 2026?
Pete Ricketts (R, Class 2) is running for his first full Senate term after being appointed in January 2023 to fill Ben Sasse's vacated seat. Deb Fischer holds Class 1 and is not up until 2030.
Is Deb Fischer running for re-election in Nebraska in 2026?
No. Fischer (R, Class 1) was re-elected in 2024. Her next election is 2030. The 2026 Nebraska race is Pete Ricketts's Class 2 seat — formerly held by Ben Sasse (resigned 2023).