Ricketts touts law enforcement support in Nebraska
OMAHA — Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, who is running for the remainder of his first term in federal office, rolled out support from some law enforcement unions on Tuesday.
U.S. Senate candidate Preston Love Jr. announced his Democratic candidacy for the 2024 Senate in Omaha. (Aaron Sandford/Nebraska Examiner)
The former Nebraska governor has received endorsements from the Omaha Police Association and the Nebraska Fraternal Order of Police in his race against Democratic candidate Preston Love Jr.
Ricketts, who was appointed to former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse’s seat, was flanked Tuesday by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Douglas County prosecutors Don Kleine.
Both unions and prosecutors have described Ricketts as a top choice for public safety and noted his support of state and federal funding to promote law enforcement recruitment and retention.
Alliance Remembers Ricketts
Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hansen, a former Omaha police union leader, said Ricketts understands the needs of local law enforcement and is willing to seek experienced feedback without understanding.
“He was always ready to work with us on issues to make sure the federal government was either ready to assist or ready to get out of the way,” Hansen said.
Patrick Dempsey, the union’s current president, praised Ricketts for defending local officials amid heightened public tensions following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
Dempsey said Ricketts helped push legislation to make Nebraska more attractive to out-of-state law enforcement officers and seek tougher federal penalties for harming police officers.
“Governor Ricketts supports law enforcement when so many people … take shortcuts and choose to support bad ideas like the Black Lives Matter movement,” Dempsey said.
Love requires more give and take
Love, a longtime Omaha civil rights leader, named his voter outreach program in North Omaha “Black Votes Matter.” After Floyd’s death, Love called for dialogue and reconciliation.
He emphasized an approach to public safety that takes into account the need for police agencies to rebuild trust in some communities and hold bad actors in uniform accountable.
Patrick Dempsey, president of the Omaha Police Officers Association, discussed the association’s support for U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., in Omaha on Tuesday. (Aaron Sandford/Nebraska Examiner)
Love has recently promoted some endorsements of his own. He has the support of the Nebraska Education Association, the AFL-CIO state chapter and the Communications Workers of America.
On Tuesday, Ricketts highlighted investments as governor in the Grand Island State Law Enforcement Training Center and efforts to help offset the cost of higher education for officers.
Ricketts said his next federal public safety priority will be to address mental health needs, which he said often fall to law enforcement officers and city and county jails.
Border security is also an issue
Ricketts and Hansen spent much of their public safety speech discussing border security. Republicans are emphasizing the issue in part to boost conservative turnout in the general election.
Ricketts said he opposed the bipartisan border bill that Republicans vetoed in February at the urging of former President Trump.
The senator criticized the bill. Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., and backed by leaders of border enforcement unions, argued too many people are still being allowed to cross.
“President (Joe) Biden has every authority he needs to secure the border,” Ricketts said. “President Trump can dismantle these crossings.”
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