Incumbent Sen. Pete Ricketts (R) defeated Dan Osborn (Nonpartisan) and three other candidates in the general election for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska on Nov. 3, 2026. Click here for detailed results.

Cindy Burbank (D), who won the Democratic primary for the seat, filed paperwork to withdraw from the general election on July 17, 2026. On her withdrawal, Burbank said, "I've looked at the numbers. I won't be your next senator. So I have withdrawn my bid for U.S. Senate."

On Nov. 5, 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, Osborn lost to incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer (R) 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 Osborn outperformed Harris.

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 included working as the chief operating officer of the brokerage firm Ameritrade and founding Drakon LLC, an organization that sought to support local entrepreneurs and startup companies. He also co-owned Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs.

Ricketts' campaign focused on his experience in elected office. His campaign website stated, "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 included 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 would not caucus with either party if elected. His campaign website stated, "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."

Based on third-quarter reports filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Ricketts raised $14.5 million and spent $13.8 million, and Osborn raised $11 million and spent $9.1 million. To review all the campaign finance figures in full detail, click here.

Chuck Conboy (America First Party Nebraska), Mike Marvin (Legal Marijuana Now Party), and Robin Richards (Nebraska Working People Party) also ran.

As of Oct. 27, 2026, DDHQ/The Hill, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated the general election as Lean Republican. The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter rated it Likely Republican.