Pete Ricketts: podcast appearances and interviews

John Peter Ricketts, born on August 19, 1964, is an American businessman and politician who has been serving as the junior United States senator from Nebraska since 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party and previously served as the 40th governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. Ricketts is the eldest son of Joe Ricketts, the founder of TD Ameritrade, and is part owner of Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs along with other family members. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2006, losing to incumbent Ben Nelson. In 2014, Ricketts ran for governor of Nebraska; after narrowly winning a six-way Republican primary, he secured the general election and was reelected in 2018. During his tenure as governor, he approved various budgets and tax cuts and was a strong supporter of capital punishment, with Nebraska carrying out its first execution since 1997 in 2018. Ricketts left office after his second term ended on January 5, 2023. A week later, he was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Nebraska's gubernatorial successor, Jim Pillen, filling the vacancy created by Ben Sasse’s resignation. He subsequently won the election to complete Sasse’s term in the 2024 special election and is currently running for reelection in 2026.