In some states, Pete Ricketts might have risked some political peril by being appointed to the U.S. Senate by his ally and successor as governor, Jim Pillen. But not in
The likely appointment of Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts to retiring Sen. Ben Sasse's seat could split the state GOP over perceptions that he bought the seat.
When Gov. Kay Orr appointed a U.S senator following the sudden death of Sen. Ed Zorinsky in 1987, there were big name Republican officeholders on the list of potential appointees.