Incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts (R), Cindy Burbank (D), Mike Marvin (Legal Marijuana Now Party), and Dan Osborn (Nonpartisan) are running in the general election for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska. Ricketts and Osborn lead in polling, noteworthy endorsements, fundraising, and media attention.

Media outlets are reporting Burbank, who won the Democratic primary for the seat, will withdraw before the general election. Her campaign website ahead of the primary stated: "[Osborn] deserves a fair shot against Ricketts. So vote for me – and I'll make sure we send Billionaire Pete Ricketts PACKING!" If Burbank does not withdraw from the general election before the deadline on Aug. 3, 2026, her name will appear on the ballot.

In 2024, Ricketts and Osborn ran in separate general elections to represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate. Ricketts defeated Preston Love Jr. (D) in the special general election 62.6% to 37.4%. Meanwhile, incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer (R) defeated Osborn in the regular general election 53.2% to 46.5%.

In that year's presidential election in Nebraska, Donald Trump (R) defeated Kamala Harris (D) 59.3% to 38.9%. In comparison, Ricketts outperformed Trump that year, and Fischer underperformed Trump.

According to The Cook Political Report's Jessica Taylor, "[Osborn] was able to pull a near-sneak attack against Sen. Deb Fischer, who was caught sleeping at the wheel. The machinist and union leader also leveraged his blue-collar background to win crossparty support. Sen. Pete Ricketts, the state's former governor and part of a wealthy family, is a much tougher opponent this go-around and isn't taking Osborn for granted."

Ricketts was appointed to represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate in 2023. He previously served as governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. Ricketts' professional experience includes working as the chief operating officer of the brokerage firm Ameritrade. He also founded Drakon LLC, an organization that sought to support local entrepreneurs and startup companies.

Ricketts' campaign is focusing on his experience in elected office. His campaign website states, "As our governor, Pete cut taxes, made government work better, and defended our Nebraska values. In the Senate, he continues to serve Nebraskans with that same commonsense leadership. Pete stood alongside President Trump to cut our taxes, secure the border, and stop the Democrats' out-of-touch policies and out-of-control spending."

Osborn's professional experience includes working as an industrial mechanic at Kellogg's Omaha plant. He served as the president of a local chapter of the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union. Osborn also served in the U.S. Navy and the Nebraska Army National Guard.

Although the Nebraska Democratic Party endorsed Osborn, he said he will not caucus with either party if elected. His campaign website states, "Running as an Independent, I'm unbeholden to party bosses and can take positions no right or left wing politician could. I will champion ideas that our citizens agree with and will fight for ideas and policies that help turn down the political temperature in this country."

As of July 7, 2026, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the general election as Likely Republican.