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Ricketts campaign consultant tells Stothert show that ad on past pardon lacks context

Josh Reyes
World-Herald Staff Writer
Oct 3, 2026
Oct 3, 2026 Updated 36 mins ago
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A campaign consultant for Sen. Pete Ricketts defended the lawmaker on Omaha's airwaves Friday, saying that an outside group's ad criticizing a pardon Ricketts supported as governor lacks context and doesn't capture his full record on supporting victims of crime.

090126-debate-nf-20 (copy) — U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., speaks at the Nebraska State Fair debate. Ricketts emphasized his record as governor and senator.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD

Jessica Flanagain mug (copy) — Flanagain

Photos: US Sen. John Kennedy joins Ricketts for annual Nebraska Steak Fry

People attend U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Hy-Vee caterers grill steak at U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

People wait to take photos with Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy during U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

People get photos with Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy during U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

People get photos with Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy during U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg speaks during U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy and Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts applaud speakers during Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts stands for recognition during his annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith attends U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy applauds speakers at Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts' annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer speaks at U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer embrace at Ricketts' annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts speaks at his annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts speaks at his annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts speaks at his annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy shake hands at Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy embrace at Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

People take photos and videos while Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy speaks at Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

People laugh as Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy speaks at Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy speaks at Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

People laugh as Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy speaks at Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts laughs as Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy speaks at Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy embrace at Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy wave to the crowd at Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy wave to the crowd at Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

U.S. Rep. Mike Flood speaks at U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts speaks with attendees at his annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

Omaha City Council member and Nebraska CD2 candidate Brinker Harding speaks at U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts’ annual Nebraska Steak Fry at the Cass County Fairgrounds on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
ANDREW SMITH, THE WORLD-HERALD

josh.reyes@owh.com