A New York Times/Siena College poll released Saturday shows Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts and Republican Gov. Jim Pillen ahead of their challengers in Nebraska’s statewide races, with voters set to cast ballots in the general election on Nov. 3.
The survey of likely Nebraska voters gives Ricketts a 49%-43% advantage over independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn. Pillen’s lead is larger in the governor’s race: He leads Democratic challenger Lynne Walz 53%-40%.
Senate race remains competitive
The poll places Ricketts ahead by six percentage points in a contest that has drawn national attention because Osborn is running as an independent rather than under the Democratic Party label. Osborn has said he would not caucus with either major party.
Republicans have argued that Osborn’s campaign has received support from Democratic donors and that his candidacy could give Democrats a path to challenge a Republican-held Senate seat without nominating a Democratic candidate. Osborn has presented himself as independent of both parties, while Republicans have continued to question how he would operate in the Senate.
Ricketts, who previously served two terms as Nebraska governor, became a U.S. senator in January 2023 after Republican Ben Sasse resigned. Ricketts later won a special election in November 2024 by more than 25 percentage points, according to the campaign background included with the poll’s release.
Governor’s race
Pillen leads Walz by 13 percentage points in the poll. Pillen is seeking another term as governor, while Walz is the Democratic nominee challenging him. The survey’s results show Pillen with a wider margin than Ricketts, although both races remain subject to voting and the counting and certification of ballots.
During his earlier tenure as governor, Ricketts emphasized tax relief, fiscal policy, economic development, agricultural interests and business regulation. In the Senate, he has continued to advocate conservative positions, including stronger border security, according to the campaign background provided with the poll.
- U.S. Senate: Pete Ricketts 49%, Dan Osborn 43%.
- Governor: Jim Pillen 53%, Lynne Walz 40%.
- Election date: Nebraska voters cast general-election ballots Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The poll provides a late-campaign measure of the two statewide contests but does not determine either result. Election outcomes will be based on ballots cast and reported by Nebraska election officials after polls close and the canvass process is completed.
