Nebraska Democrats Accuse Pete Ricketts of Funding Lawsuit

The Nebraska Democratic Party alleged Wednesday that U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts is financing a legal effort to force the party to name a replacement candidate for the U.S. Senate race. The lawsuit was filed by William Forbes, a primary loser seeking a spot on the ballot after primary winner Cindy Burbank withdrew.

Party leaders argue that while state law permits a replacement nominee, it does not mandate one. They claim the law firm representing Forbes has ties to conservative-backed litigation, suggesting that Ricketts is the actual source of the funding. Chairperson Jane Kleeb stated that the party believes its lawyers will be victorious because Ricketts is funding what she termed a disingenuous and frivolous lawsuit.

Max Oberg, the deputy campaign manager for Pete Ricketts, dismissed the allegations. Oberg characterized the legal action as an internal party dispute, noting that a Democrat suing the Democratic Party for the right to vote for a Democrat is a problem within the Nebraska Democratic Party.