Former Nebraska Governor Backs Democratic Candidate for Education Board
Pete Ricketts, who served two terms as Nebraska’s governor and is now a state senator, has endorsed his wife, Suzanne Shore, a Democrat, for a statewide higher education position. This endorsement marks a significant gesture of bipartisanship from a prominent Republican.
Shore, the former state first lady, is running for a seat on the University of Nebraska Board of Trustees, aiming to fill the remaining four years of a term left by former Regent Elizabeth O’Connor. Ricketts expressed strong support for her candidacy, calling her an “outstanding advocate for the university” and emphasizing their shared goal of making higher education both affordable and accessible.
In his statement, Ricketts noted, “Her deep love for the state of Nebraska is clear. I usually vote for straight Republicans, but for the 2026 race, Suzanne will be my exception.” It’s a notable pivot, considering his typical party alignment.
While Shore acknowledges differing political views within their home, she emphasizes the importance of family support. She conveyed that Ricketts has been nothing but supportive during her campaign, which she is running independently with her own team of Democratic consultants. Nevertheless, Ricketts highlighted that she remains focused on her re-election campaign against Omaha Labor leader Dan Osborne.
Shore is prioritizing the need for academic and social support for students from diverse backgrounds, stressing that getting into school is just one piece of the puzzle. “It’s about being able to graduate without overwhelming debt… work-study programs or internships,” she pointed out.
This endorsement comes on the heels of a contentious history between Ricketts and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln related to diversity initiatives and critical race theory. Back in 2021, he publicly criticized UNL’s “Journey to Anti-Racism and Racial Equity,” claiming that while the university denied any association with critical race theory, their records suggested otherwise.
He argued that the initiative would permeate campus life, labeling the plan as “legally questionable” and “intellectually flawed.” In a later interview, he derided critical race theory as a betrayal of the civil rights movement.
Furthermore, Ricketts had engaged with parents at town halls across Nebraska, discussing sex education and gender ideology, describing certain materials as concerning and a “sexualization of children.” He asserted that real change would necessitate replacing school board members with those who value parental responsibility in education.
Shore faces competition in the Democratic primary, with at least five candidates, including Michael Scotch from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, current UNO student regent Drew Leasey, and Justin Solomon, a former UNL student regent. The top two candidates from the May 12th primary will move on to the general election on November 3rd.
