U.S. Senate, Nebraska · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Nebraska U.S. Senate race?
Pete Ricketts has the strongest record in the Nebraska U.S. Senate race. Pete Ricketts scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Dan Osborn at 57, as of October 6, 2026. Pete Ricketts's highest marks are command of the job and accountability. Dan Osborn's highest marks are accountability and communication. Chuck Conboy (5 of 15 criteria), Mike Marvin (4 of 15 criteria) and Robin Richards (5 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
America First
Chuck Conboy
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 56
- Performance
- NR
Legal Marijuana NOW
Mike Marvin
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 4 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Independent (By Petition)
Dan Osborn
57 / 100
Public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 56
- Qualifications
- 60
- Performance
- 50
Nebraska Working People
Robin Richards
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 67
- Performance
- NR
Republican · incumbent
Strongest record
Pete Ricketts
65 / 100
Public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 56
- Qualifications
- 80
- Performance
- 56
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Chuck Conboy
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Mike Marvin
- On the record2026-08
Suspended his campaign for health reasons in August 2026 and endorsed Dan Osborn; his name remains on the ballot.
Dan Osborn
- Unresolved2026-03 to 2026-04
Americans for Public Trust (March 23, 2026) and NADC chair Jeffrey Davis, acting privately (April 2026), filed FEC complaints over campaign and PAC payments to his family and staff; he calls them baseless.
Where it stands: Pending at the FEC; no action reported as of Sept. 10, 2026, as the commission lacks a quorum.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, April 14, 2026, Nebraska Examiner via Yahoo News, Sept. 10, 2026
- On the record2025 to 2026
The Nebraska Democratic Party endorsed him; he says he will not caucus with either party.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dan Osborn
- On the record2021-12
On a December 2021 podcast said the union had contacted Homeland Security and ICE about alleged undocumented replacement workers; CNN found no supporting evidence, and his campaign says he called only the sheriff.
Source: CNN, June 19, 2026
- Credit2021-10 to 2021-12
As president of BCTGM Local 50G, led a 77-day strike at Kellogg's Omaha plant that ended Dec. 21, 2021, with a ratified contract that raised wages.
Sources: CNN, June 19, 2026, Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026
- Creditbefore 2004
Served four years in the U.S. Navy and later in the Nebraska Army National Guard.
Robin Richards
- On the record2026
Founded and chairs the Nebraska Working People party, created by petition in 2026; the Nebraska Supreme Court rejected a Democratic Party and Working Families Party objection to the party.
Pete Ricketts
- On the record2025 to 2026
Held three in-person town halls in 2025, the last in Scottsbluff, and tele-town halls with screened questions in 2026; his staff said tele-town halls reach more constituents.
- On the record2025 to 2026
Contributed $5,295,887.54 of his own money to his Senate committee through June 30, 2026, per the FEC.
Source: FEC candidate page
- On the record2023-01
Gov. Jim Pillen appointed him in January 2023 to the Senate seat Ben Sasse vacated; he won the 2024 special election for the rest of the term.
- On the record2022
As governor on the Board of Pardons in 2022, voted to pardon John Arias, who pleaded guilty to a 1993 rape and served 14 years; he says he decided as best he could.
- Credit2025-05-09
His joint resolution disapproving a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule on digital payment apps, S.J.Res. 28, was signed into law on May 9, 2025.
Sources: GovTrack, S.J.Res. 28 (119th), GovTrack, Pete Ricketts
- Credit2025 to 2026
Chairs the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific and the Environment and Public Works subcommittee on fisheries, water and wildlife.
Source: GovTrack, Pete Ricketts
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Chuck Conboy. Statement of candidacy filed with the FEC Sept. 25, 2026; no financial report is yet processed. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00962845
Mike Marvin. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Sept. 11, 2026, showing $27,750 raised and spent. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00944199
Dan Osborn. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC through Sept. 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine or official finding found. Two 2026 FEC complaints over payments to family and staff are unresolved (see Record).
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00901355
Robin Richards. Statement of candidacy filed with the FEC Sept. 29, 2026; no financial report is yet processed. No FEC administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00962506
Pete Ricketts. Campaign committee reports are on file with the FEC through June 30, 2026. No FEC administrative fine and no official ethics finding found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00832436
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. No public record found.
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. Debated Pete Ricketts at the Nebraska State Fair on Sept. 1, 2026, the race's only debate, and is holding rallies and town halls on a statewide tour.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026, Nebraska Examiner via Yahoo News, Sept. 10, 2026
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. Debated Dan Osborn at the Nebraska State Fair on Sept. 1, 2026, the race's only debate. Held three in-person town halls in 2025 and tele-town halls in 2026.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026, Nebraska Examiner via Yahoo News, June 9, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. Served in the Navy and National Guard and led his union local, with no formal conduct finding found.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026, CNN, June 19, 2026
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. Governor from 2015 to 2023 and senator since 2023 with no formal censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. Served four years in the U.S. Navy and later in the Nebraska Army National Guard. No official finding of misuse and no action to reject certified results found.
Robin Richards. Has served on the elected Ralston Public Schools Board of Education since 2019 with no finding of misuse of office found.
Pete Ricketts. Took the oaths of governor (2015 to 2023) and U.S. senator (2023). No official finding of misuse of office and no recorded action to reject certified election results found.
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Chuck Conboy. Rose to management at Baker's Supermarkets and has sold floor coverings for three decades with Nebraska Furniture Mart and ProSource. No political background.
Mike Marvin. Former executive director of the Nebraska Association of Public Employees.
Source: Ballotpedia, Mike Marvin
Dan Osborn. Industrial mechanic at Kellogg's Omaha plant from 2004 and president of BCTGM Local 50G, which he led in a 2021 strike; Navy and National Guard veteran. Has not held public office.
Sources: CNN, June 19, 2026, Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026
Robin Richards. Elected member of the Ralston Public Schools Board of Education since 2019 and business manager for the Nebraska Arts Council. Founded and chairs the Nebraska Working People party.
Pete Ricketts. Two terms as governor of Nebraska (2015 to 2023); appointed to the Senate in 2023 and won the 2024 special election, so has not yet served a full Senate term. Former Ameritrade chief operating officer.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026, Ballotpedia, Pete Ricketts
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Chuck Conboy. Publishes a platform with general positions on immigration, Social Security and other issues.
Source: Conboy for Senate, Platform
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. Publishes a multi-part Nebraska Growth and Fairness Plan on his campaign site, largely in general terms.
Source: Osborn for Senate, Plans
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. Chairs two Senate subcommittees: Foreign Relations' East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy, and Environment and Public Works' Fisheries, Water and Wildlife. Campaign issue pages are general.
Source: GovTrack, Pete Ricketts
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Chuck Conboy. Publishes a platform page and gave a Nebraska Public Media candidate interview. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Source: Conboy for Senate, Platform
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. Debated at the State Fair, holds town halls on a statewide tour and publishes issue plans. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026, Nebraska Examiner via Yahoo News, Sept. 10, 2026, Osborn for Senate, Plans
Robin Richards. Explained her priorities in a Nebraska Public Media candidate interview; completed Ballotpedia's survey in 2022 but not in 2026.
Source: Ballotpedia, Robin Richards
Pete Ricketts. Debated at the State Fair, holds tele-town halls (about 14,000 listeners in June 2026) and publishes issue pages. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026, Nebraska Examiner via Yahoo News, June 9, 2026, Ballotpedia, Pete Ricketts
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Chuck Conboy. Born in Nebraska and has lived in the state his whole life; lists Papillion as his residence.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026, Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list
Mike Marvin. Lists Omaha as his residence on the official candidate list. About 10 percent of itemized contributions ($2,740 of $27,640) came from Nebraska, per FEC by-state totals.
Sources: Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list, FEC contribution totals by state
Dan Osborn. Lives in Omaha, where he has worked since at least 2004, per Nebraska Public Media and the official candidate list. About 17 percent of itemized contributions ($578,379 of $3,341,285) came from Nebraska, per FEC by-state totals.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026, Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list, FEC contribution totals by state
Robin Richards. Ralston graduate who lists Ralston as her residence on the official candidate list; born in David City, Nebraska.
Sources: Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list, Ballotpedia, Robin Richards
Pete Ricketts. Born in Nebraska City and lists Omaha as his residence on the official candidate list. About 37 percent of itemized contributions ($1,472,609 of $3,967,575) came from Nebraska, per FEC by-state totals.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Pete Ricketts, Nebraska Secretary of State candidate list, FEC contribution totals by state
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC with no debts and no administrative fine found.
Sources: FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00944199
Dan Osborn. Led BCTGM Local 50G as president. Campaign reports are on file with the FEC with no debts and no administrative fine found.
Sources: CNN, June 19, 2026, FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00901355
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. Ran the state executive branch as governor for eight years. Senate campaign reports are on file with the FEC with no debts and no administrative fine found.
Sources: Nebraska Public Media, Sept. 23, 2026, FEC candidate page, FEC administrative fines search, committee C00832436
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. As local union president led a 77-day 2021 strike that ended with a ratified contract raising wages, per CNN.
Source: CNN, June 19, 2026
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. Legislative Effectiveness Score of 0.31 in the 118th Congress against a benchmark of 0.85, below expectations. Raised to 2 under E14: his S.J.Res. 28, overturning a CFPB rule, was enacted May 9, 2025.
Sources: Center for Effective Lawmaking, Senate data file, GovTrack, S.J.Res. 28 (119th)
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. No public record found.
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. Missed 31 of 1,595 roll call votes (1.9 percent) from February 2023 to September 2026, per GovTrack.
Source: GovTrack, Pete Ricketts
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. No public record found.
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. His campaign reports helping nearly 1,800 Nebraskans with federal agencies and nearly 800 recover nearly $5 million. Holds tele-town halls.
Source: Pete Ricketts for Senate
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. Running as an independent with the Nebraska Democratic Party's endorsement; says he will not caucus with either party.
Source: Ballotpedia, Dan Osborn
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. Lugar Center Bipartisan Index score of -0.95609 for 2023 (118th Congress), ranked 85 of 98 senators, in the bottom quarter.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Chuck Conboy. No public record found.
Mike Marvin. No public record found.
Dan Osborn. No public record found.
Robin Richards. No public record found.
Pete Ricketts. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 6, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Nebraska U.S. Senate race?
Pete Ricketts has the strongest record in the Nebraska U.S. Senate race. Pete Ricketts scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Dan Osborn at 57, as of October 6, 2026. Pete Ricketts's highest marks are command of the job and accountability. Dan Osborn's highest marks are accountability and communication. Chuck Conboy (5 of 15 criteria), Mike Marvin (4 of 15 criteria) and Robin Richards (5 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Nebraska U.S. Senate race in 2026?
Chuck Conboy (America First), Mike Marvin (Legal Marijuana NOW), Dan Osborn (Independent (By Petition)), Robin Richards (Nebraska Working People), Pete Ricketts (Republican, incumbent). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Chuck Conboy a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Chuck Conboy has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Mike Marvin a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Mike Marvin has public evidence on 4 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Dan Osborn a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Dan Osborn scores 57 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 11 of 15 criteria: character 56 of 100, qualifications 60 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Robin Richards a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Robin Richards has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Pete Ricketts a good candidate for U.S. Senate?
Pete Ricketts scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 13 of 15 criteria: character 56 of 100, qualifications 80 of 100, performance 56 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Nebraska race scored, and the Nebraska 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.