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Pete Ricketts

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For the senior British diplomat, see Peter Ricketts.
Pete Ricketts
40th Governor of Nebraska
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2015
LieutenantMike Foley
Preceded byDave Heineman
Personal details
Born
John Peter Ricketts

(1964-08-19) August 19, 1964 (age 60)
Nebraska City, Nebraska, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceGovernor's Mansion
Alma materUniversity of Chicago
WebsiteGovernment website

John Peter "Pete" Ricketts (born August 19, 1964) is the 40th and current governor of the U.S. state of Nebraska, and the former chief operating officer of Ameritrade.[1] He was the Republican nominee for the 2006 U.S. Senate race in Nebraska,[2] which he lost to incumbent Ben Nelson. He ran for governor of Nebraska in the 2014 election, this time defeating the Democratic Party's nominee, Chuck Hassebrook. He was inaugurated as governor on January 8, 2015.

Biography

Ricketts was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and now lives in Omaha. He attended the University of Chicago for both his bachelor and graduate studies, and received an MBA in marketing and finance from the university's Graduate School of Business.[1]

Ricketts and his wife Susanne have three children, Margot, Roscoe, and Eleanor. Ricketts' father is J. Joseph Ricketts, founder of Ameritrade and current owner of the Chicago Cubs.[1] Ricketts currently sits on the Boards of the Cubs and Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska, (just south of Omaha). In 2007, he became the Chairman of the Board of the Platte Institute for Economic Research.[3] He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Enterprise Institute.

2006 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: United States Senate election in Nebraska, 2006

Ricketts was the 2006 Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate seat held and retained by Democrat Ben Nelson. His opponents in the primary were former Nebraska Attorney General Don Stenberg and former state Republican chairman David Kramer. Ricketts spent nearly $5 million of his own money out-of-pocket, outspending his opponents 10–1 in winning the nomination .[2]

Ricketts received some high-profile campaign assistance, most notably from President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney personally. Bush appeared at a campaign rally for Ricketts on November 5, 2006, just days before the election, in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Ricketts ran on a conservative platform, emphasizing fiscal responsibility,[1] immigration reform,[4] and agriculture,[5] as well as championing a socially conservative platform opposing gay marriage[6] and abortion.[7] In all, he contributed $11,302,078 of his own money to his campaign, triggering the Millionaire's Amendment which allows his opponent to raise larger amounts from each donor.[8][9] He spent more money than any Senate candidate in Nebraska history,[10] but was defeated by Nelson by a margin of 36%–64%.[citation needed]

Governor of Nebraska

2014 campaign

Main article: Nebraska gubernatorial election, 2014

Ricketts ran for governor of Nebraska in the 2014 gubernatorial election.[11] Ricketts was endorsed by former Alaska governor, Sarah Palin and former Nebraska governor, Kay Orr in April 2014.[12] After a crowded primary, Ricketts won his party's nomination on May 13.[13] He won the primary election with 26.5 percent of the vote, the lowest percentage on record for a Nebraska Republican gubernatorial primary victor.[14] In the November 4, 2014 general election, he defeated Democrat Chuck Hassebrook, taking 58% of the vote to Hassebrook's 39%.[15]

Tenure

Ricketts was inaugurated as the 40th governor of Nebraska at the Nebraska State Capitol on January 8, 2015.[16][17][18]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Cordes, Henry J. (19 March 2006). "For Ricketts, it's about earning what you get". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2006. [dead link‍]
  2. ^ a b Cordes, Henry J. (10 May 2006). "High-spending race for Senate ahead". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2006. [dead link‍]
  3. ^ Board of Directors, J. Peter Ricketts biography
  4. ^ Gonzalez, Cindy (13 October 2006). "Ricketts criticized for immigrant idea". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2006.[dead link‍]
  5. ^ Walton, Don (2 March 2006). "Ricketts proposes new agricultural savings accounts". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 13 October 2006. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ Norman, Andrew. "GOP The Prelims: Candidates Spar Over the Details". The Reader. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
  7. ^ Walton, Don (19 September 2006). "Ricketts pokes Nelson's pro-life credentials". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
  8. ^ Bratton, Anna Jo. "Ricketts' bid for office hits nearly $10M out of pocket". Columbus Telegram. Retrieved 13 October 2006.
  9. ^ Tysver, Robynn (16 October 2006). "In last debate, Ricketts attacks Nelson tie to Columbus firm". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 16 October 2006. [dead link‍]
  10. ^ Tysver, Robynn (21 September 2006). "Ricketts digs deeper into wallet". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved 13 October 2006. [dead link‍]
  11. ^ "Ricketts Running For Governor". WOWT. 8 September 2013. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  12. ^ Reutter, Harold. Sarah Palin stops in G.I. to endorse Pete Ricketts, Grand Island Independent, April 5, 2014.
  13. ^ http://www.sacbee.com/2014/05/13/6402936/ricketts-wins-gop-race-for-nebraska.html
  14. ^ Ostermeier, Eric (14 May 2014). "Ricketts Wins Nebraska GOP Gubernatorial Nod with Lowest Support in State History".
  15. ^ "Governor's race results". Nebraska Secretary of State. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  16. ^ "Pete Ricketts Sworn In as Governor". 1011now.com. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  17. ^ Associated Press (January 8, 2015) – "Pete Ricketts Sworn in as 40th Governor of Nebraska". Kearney Hub. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  18. ^ Stoddard, Martha (January 8, 2015) – "Q&A: Pete Ricketts Offers Glimpse of His Vision for Nebraska". Omaha.com. Retrieved January 26, 2015.

Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Nebraska
(Class 1)
2006 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Dave Heineman
 Republican nominee for Governor of Nebraska
2014 		Most recent
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Nebraska
2015–present 		Incumbent

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