OMAHA — Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts launched his reelection bid last weekend at R&R Realty Group and kicked off a three-day tour of the state. “Conservative leadership delivers.”As expected, President Donald Trump joined prominent Republicans in endorsing Ricketts, a former two-term governor and political force in the state. In his campaign kickoff, Ricketts highlighted working with the Legislature as governor to deliver $12.7 billion in tax relief. Jim Pillen appointed Ricketts to the Senate in 2023, when he replaced Sasse after Sasse resigned to become president of the University of Florida. “I need your help because I’m kicking off my reelection here, and it’s going to be a tough one,” Ricketts told the Omaha crowd.