Super PAC Ad Attacked Ricketts Over Pardon
A new advertisement criticizes Senator Pete Ricketts for his role in pardoning a convicted sexual assailant.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Sex Crimes
A super PAC supporting Dan Osborn has launched a campaign advertisement targeting Senator Pete Ricketts. The ad highlights Ricketts's vote as governor to pardon John Arias, who had been convicted of first-degree sexual assault.
Why it matters
The advertisement aims to influence the Nebraska Senate race by questioning Senator Ricketts's judgment and character regarding public safety decisions.
The Nebraska Board of Pardons voted 2-1 in September 2022 to grant John Arias a pardon, which removed him from the state sex offender registry and restored his right to possess firearms.
The players
Pete Ricketts
Pete Ricketts is a United States Senator from Nebraska and former governor of the state.
Dan Osborn
Dan Osborn is a candidate in the Nebraska Senate race supported by the super PAC airing the advertisement.
John Arias
John Arias is a convicted individual who received a pardon from the Nebraska Board of Pardons in 2022.
Doug Peterson
Doug Peterson is a former Nebraska official who served on the Board of Pardons alongside Ricketts.
Bob Evnen
Bob Evnen is a Nebraska official who served on the Board of Pardons and cast the dissenting vote against the pardon.
The details
The 60-second advertisement features a personal narrative from the victim of the assault alongside audio recordings from the 28-minute pardon hearing. The board members Pete Ricketts and Doug Peterson voted to approve the pardon, while Bob Evnen cast the dissenting vote.
Timeline
John Arias committed the assault on April 30, 1993.
Arias was released from prison in April 2008 after serving 14 years.
The Nebraska Board of Pardons granted the pardon in September 2022.
The political advertisement was published on September 29, 2026.
Legal Context
The story examines the exercise of the Nebraska Board of Pardons constitutional authority in a highly contentious political environment. This incident highlights how gubernatorial pardon powers can become central points of debate during state and federal election cycles.
The advertisement brings awareness to how the state pardon process functions and the records of local officials regarding sensitive criminal justice decisions. Voters may consider these pardon decisions when evaluating the past administrative actions of their political representatives.
The takeaway
This case underscores how historical pardon board proceedings are increasingly leveraged as evidence in modern political campaigns. Voters are encouraged to review the public records of administrative boards to understand the broader implications of past executive decisions.
Further reading
For more information on state legislative and legal matters, visit Nebraska Sex Crimes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New York Times.
