Ricketts and Smith Target Housing and Ethanol in Final Hastings Stop

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts and U.S. Representative Adrian Smith held their final public campaign event in Nebraska on Monday at the Hastings Municipal Airport. They addressed voters in the town ahead of Tuesday's election, where Ricketts faces independent challenger Dan Osborn for the state's Senate seat. The event marked the last stop for the pair in the state before polls open on November 3.

The campaign, dubbed the Hold Defend the Good Life Tour, has included stops across the state. Ricketts and Smith spoke to reporters after the gathering at the airport. Ricketts framed the race as a choice between his twelve years as governor and senator and an opponent he described as unpredictable. He argued that voters know his positions and how he will vote. He contrasted this with his opponent, whom he said says whatever he thinks voters want to hear.

Ricketts identified the cost of living as the primary concern raised by voters. He cited the Republican tax law, the Working Families Tax Cut, which ended taxes on tips and overtime. The law also raised the child tax credit and made the estate tax exemption permanent. Ricketts pointed to the Road to Housing Act as a measure to lower costs. He called for permitting changes to speed up the construction of houses, roads, and oil refineries.

Agricultural policy formed another part of the message. Ricketts said Congress must finish a farm bill that allows year-round sales of E15, a higher ethanol blend. He argued that E15 would increase demand for farmers' products. Smith, who sponsored the E15 measure, said the bill passed the House. He noted that the legislation is now moving through the Senate alongside the farm bill. Smith said the measure helps local producers, including those hurt by wildfires.

Smith emphasized the need to protect recent tax cuts. He said Democrats want to reverse those changes. He warned that undoing the cuts would be dangerous for the economy and bad for economic opportunity. Smith stated that Nebraskans want Congress to finish its work. He said there have been delays and disruptions in the legislative process.

The pair also discussed funding sources for their campaigns. Ricketts said his money comes from Nebraska. He said his opponent's funding comes from New York and California. Smith noted that getting a message out is not cheap. He said Nebraskans backing Ricketts is different from the opponent bringing in millions of dollars from the coast. Ricketts acknowledged polling that shows an independent candidate closing in on a Republican incumbent. He said he campaigns the same way in every race by going out and asking for people's votes.

Ricketts credited President Donald Trump for helping the Republican effort this season. He pointed to the president's recent visit to Grand Island. He also cited Vice President JD Vance's stop in North Platte. The events helped generate media attention for the state's races. The final push in Hastings concluded a tour that aimed to promote Republican candidates and key ballot issues.

Voters in Nebraska will decide the Senate race and other contests on Tuesday. Ricketts and Smith will not hold further public events in the state before the election. The pair will focus on counting results as they come in from across the state. The outcome will determine who represents Nebraska in the U.S. Senate for the next term.