THE CORNHUSKER KICKBACK: How the Ricketts dynasty purchased a US Senate seat in Nebraska Ricketts gave $100,000 to Pillen's campaign in the lead-up to the May 2022 primary, and gave $1.28 million to Conservative Nebraska, a PAC in the state. His largest single donation to the PAC was $775,000 just before the primary.The Post Millennial, Jan 13, 2022
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen announced on Thursday the appointment of his predecessor, Pete Ricketts, to the US Senate, filling a vacant seat left by former Senator Ben Sasse. Pillen was Ricketts’ hand-picked successor as governor and spent lavishly to support his campaign in the primary against Trump-endorsed candidate Charles Herbser.
Pillen would go on to win the Nebraska primary, but then months later in October, Sasse abruptly announced his resignation from his Senate seat to accept the role across the country as the University of Florida’s next president. Sasse was first elected to the seat in 2014, and won his reelection in 2020. Ricketts will serve until a special election in 2024, and the seat will then be on Nebraska’s ballot in 2026 for a full term.
The shadow campaign for Ricketts for Senate began almost as immediately as Sasse announced he would leave the seat. Prominent Senator Lindsey Graham publicly boosted Ricketts for Senate in October when he made a stop at a steak fry, first reported by The Post Millennial, in Nebraska just days after Sasse announced his resignation. Graham endorsed Ricketts to take the seat in the Senate before Ricketts had even announced he had an interest in the seat.
The Ricketts family’s net worth is $5.3 billion according to a recent Forbes report. Joe Ricketts, 81, Pete’s father, is the founder of TD Ameritrade and the owner of the Chicago Cubs.
Ricketts gave $100,000 to Pillen's campaign in the lead-up to the May 2022 primary, and gave $1.28 million to Conservative Nebraska, a PAC in the state. His largest single donation to the PAC was $775,000 just before the primary.
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https://thepostmillennial.com/the-cornhusker-kickback-how-the-ricketts-dynasty-purchased-a-us-senate-seat-in-nebraska?utm_campaign=64483