WINNER: Ben Nelson

D: Ben Nelson (incumbent)

R: Pete Ricketts

Race Breakdown:
At $14 million dollars and mounting, this race is the most expensive in Nebraska history. But for Nebraska voters, the contest between first-term incumbent Ben Nelson and Republican challenger Pete Ricketts is about more than just money. Nelson is a a conservative Democrat in this solid red state; Ricketts is the former CEO of Ameritrade financial services.

In a state where the Hispanic population is rapidly increasing, immigration remains a hot topic, especially because of the abundance of blue-collar agriculture jobs in the state. While Nelson’s first priority is securing the borders, Ricketts believes that a temporary worker program needs to be put in place to address the problem now.

As for foreign affairs, both candidates continue to support U.S. efforts in Iraq. But they differ on how to handle North Korea: Nelson encourages compromise, while Ricketts feels that North Korea should not be granted any support through negotiation deals. Finally, in a state filled with small-town communities, the economy is the issue that receives the most attention. Both candidates have suggested major tax cuts for the improvement of the economy.

With the flurry of campaign ads being hurled at Nebraskans, it may be hard to separate the issues that frame this campaign. Come Election Day, however, the choice for Nebraska senator will be clear.

Recent polls show Nelson 20 points ahead of Ricketts.

Learn More:
Ben Nelson for Senate
Pete Ricketts for Senate
Facebook – Pete Ricketts
New York Times: “Despite Sound and Fury, Nebraska Race Has Been Stable”

WAR AND NATIONAL SECURITY

IRAQ

Nelson wants to establish “measurable goals” in Iraq – and create benchmarks for Iraqi troops that would make clear when they can take control from U.S. forces. He opposes a deadline for withdrawal and is critical of a “stay the course” approach. He opposed the Kerry troop redeployment amendment.

Ricketts believes the Iraqis must gain control before troops are removed from the country. He says U.S. foreign policy should focus on stabilizing the entire region.

TERRORISM STRATEGIES

Nelson supported the PATRIOT Act reauthorization. A member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Nelson has been a strong backer of the war on terror and of funding military resources. (more)

Ricketts supports many of the provisions of the PATRIOT Act.

EDUCATION

STUDENT LOANS AND GRANTS

Nelson voted against legislation that cut billions of dollars in funding for student loan and health care programs because the cuts, he said, “would pass health and education costs to the state.” He voted in 2005 against additional funding for Pell Grants.

Ricketts supports “continuing to fund” Pell Grants. He is favor of raising the limits on Stafford Loans and tying them to inflation to make college more affordable to students.

SCHOOLS

Nelson voted against No Child Left Behind because he was concerned that it would become another under-funded federal mandate with costs passed onto the local communities that would force increases in local property taxes. He proposed an amendment that would have prohibited the implementation of NCLB without full funding. He voted in favor of additional funding for education programs in 2005.

Ricketts is against NCLB because he believes “Nebraska parents and school boards should hold schools accountable, not the federal government.”

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

HABITAT vs. OIL

Nelson does not support oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. “Extracting oil from ANWR could take 10 years. Nebraskans surely don’t want to wait until 2015 for gas prices to come down,” he said.

Ricketts supports drilling in the ANWR. He criticizes Nelson for voting against the bill because he believes the bill would have caused gas prices to fall.

ENERGY IDEAS

Nelson backed Bush’s energy plan. He’s a big supporter of ethanol, which is major product of Nebraska’s cornfields, and on renewables. He supported a Democratic effort to set a goal of reducing dependence of foreign oil by 40 percent by 2025.

Ricketts is also a fan of ethanol production as an alternative energy source and believes domestic energy production is key to reducing dependence on foreign oil.

ECONOMY

MINIMUM WAGE

Nelson supports a minimum wage increase and voted earlier this year for a Democratic proposal to raise the hourly wage to $7.25. He opposed a Republican minimum wage increase proposal. (more)

Ricketts opposes a minimum wage increase unless it is accompanied by compensating benefits for small businesses.

TAXES

Nelson backed Bush’s tax cuts. In the past, Nelson has voted for six major tax cuts, returning over $1.6 trillion to taxpayers. He has also supported permanently eliminating the estate tax.

Ricketts says his top priority if lowering taxes. He wants to make Bush’s tax cuts permanent and wants to fix the alternative minimum tax that mostly affects the middle class. He has a detailed tax reform plan.

CRIME

JUVENILE CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Nelson has no recorded position on juvenile crime. He was not in office at the time of a sweeping juvenile justice reform bill that was passed by the Senate. In 2004, he touted a federal grant that would aid Nebraska in controlling juvenile delinquency and crime.

Ricketts has no recorded position on juvenile crime and justice.

HATE CRIMES

Nelson was not in office at the time of a 2000 bill to expand the definition of “hate crimes” and fund more enforcement and prosecution. He voted in favor of a failed 2002 Democratic hate crimes-related effort.

Ricketts has indicated that he does not support expanding the definition of “hate crimes.”

—MM