Pete Ricketts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pete Ricketts
Official portrait, 2023
United States Senator from Nebraska
Incumbent
Assumed office January 12, 2023 Serving with Deb Fischer
Preceded by	Ben Sasse
40th Governor of Nebraska
In office January 8, 2015 – January 5, 2023
Lieutenant	Mike Foley
Preceded by	Dave Heineman
Succeeded by	Jim Pillen
Chair of the Republican Governors Association
In office November 19, 2021 – November 17, 2022 Serving with Doug Ducey
Preceded by	Doug Ducey
Succeeded by	Kim Reynolds
In office November 29, 2018 – November 21, 2019
Preceded by	Bill Haslam
Succeeded by	Greg Abbott
Personal details
Born	John Peter Ricketts (1964-08-19) August 19, 1964 (age 60) Nebraska City, Nebraska, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Susanne Shore ​ (m. 1997)​
Children	3
Parent	Joe Ricketts (father)
Relatives	Thomas S. Ricketts (brother) Laura Ricketts (sister) Todd Ricketts (brother)
Education	University of Chicago (BA, MBA)
Awards	2016 World Series champion
Website

John Peter Ricketts (born August 19, 1964) is an American businessman and politician. He is a United States senator for the state of Nebraska. Before becoming a senator in 2023, he served as the 40th governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Ricketts is the son of Joe Ricketts, who founded the company TD Ameritrade. Along with his family, he is a part-owner of the Major League Baseball team, the Chicago Cubs.

Before becoming governor, Ricketts ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006 but did not win. He was later elected governor in 2014 and reelected in 2018. As governor, he signed laws for tax cuts and supported capital punishment. In 2023, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill a seat that had become vacant. He won a special election in 2024 to continue serving in the Senate.

Early Life and Education

Pete Ricketts was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska on August 19, 1964. He was the oldest of four children. His parents were Joe and Marlene Ricketts. The family later moved to Omaha, Nebraska.

His father, Joe Ricketts, started a company called First Omaha Securities in 1975. This company was one of the first to offer discounted stock trading. It grew and became TD Ameritrade. His mother, Marlene, was a teacher.

Pete and his siblings, Tom, Laura, and Todd, all went to Westside High School in Omaha. Pete graduated in 1982. He then went to the University of Chicago. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology in 1986. Later, he received an MBA in marketing and finance in 1991.

Business and Family Life

Ricketts in 2013

After finishing his MBA, Ricketts worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and then as a salesman. In 1993, he began working at his father's company, Ameritrade. He held several important jobs there, including chief operating officer.

In 1997, Ricketts married Susanne Shore. They have three children.

In 2007, Ricketts co-founded the Platte Institute for Economic Research, a group that supports free-market ideas. He also served as a national committeeman for the Republican National Committee from 2007 to 2012.

A World Series Champion

In 2009, the Ricketts family bought the Chicago Cubs baseball team. As a part-owner, Ricketts celebrated a major victory when the Cubs won the 2016 World Series. This was a huge event, as the team defeated the Cleveland Indians for the championship title.

Governor of Nebraska (2015–2023)

Ricketts campaigning for governor in July 2014

Ricketts decided to run for governor of Nebraska in 2014. After winning a close Republican primary election, he went on to win the main election against his Democratic opponent, Chuck Hassebrook. Ricketts was reelected for a second term in 2018.

First Term as Governor

Ricketts was sworn in as governor on January 8, 2015. During his first term, some important laws were passed. One of the most debated topics was the state's death penalty. The legislature voted to end it, but Ricketts vetoed the bill. A veto is when a governor rejects a bill to prevent it from becoming a law. However, the legislature had enough votes to override his veto.

Supporters of the death penalty then collected signatures to let the people of Nebraska vote on the issue. In 2016, voters decided to keep the death penalty.

Another law allowed people who were brought to the U.S. as children under a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to get driver's licenses. Ricketts also vetoed this bill, but the legislature overrode his veto.

Second Term as Governor

Ricketts with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem in 2019

After being reelected in 2018, Ricketts continued to focus on his priorities. He signed laws to provide tax relief and supported a project to increase the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund. This fund helps lower property taxes for people in Nebraska.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ricketts managed the state's response. He also signed laws to help with flood and pandemic relief.

In his final years as governor, Ricketts signed bills to support military families, improve education, and build new infrastructure. This included a plan to build a canal to protect Nebraska's water rights from the South Platte River.

U.S. Senator (2023–Present)

Ricketts with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in December 2023

In January 2023, Nebraska's U.S. Senator Ben Sasse resigned. The new governor, Jim Pillen, appointed Ricketts to take his place in the Senate. Ricketts was sworn in on January 23, 2023.

As a senator, Ricketts serves on several important committees, including the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Environment and Public Works. These committees help create laws on foreign policy and environmental issues.

Ricketts has focused on issues like border security and has called for a strong stance against countries like China, Iran, and Russia. He is also a strong supporter of the relationship between the U.S. and Israel. In 2024, he won a special election to continue serving the rest of Sasse's term.

What Ricketts Believes

As a politician, Pete Ricketts has clear positions on many issues.

• Taxes and Economy: He supports cutting taxes and believes in being careful with government spending. As governor, he signed laws that provided billions of dollars in tax relief.
• Death Penalty: He is a strong supporter of the death penalty. In 2018, Nebraska carried out its first execution in 21 years while he was governor.
• Environment: Ricketts supported the Keystone XL pipeline project. He has also spoken against some federal environmental rules, believing they are not practical.
• Gun Rights: He is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, which gives citizens the right to own guns.

Personal Life

Ricketts is a member of the Catholic faith. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic service organization.

Images for kids

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  Final results by county in 2014

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  Final results by county in 2018

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  Ricketts speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in February 2017

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  Ricketts speaking at CPAC in February 2018

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  Ricketts during a meeting in 2021

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  Final results by county in 2006

Electoral history

2006 election

2014 election

2018 election

2024 election