Ricketts defends controversial pardon highlighted in recent ad

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts is defending himself against an ad in which a woman criticizes him for pardoning her ex-husband for raping her.

In the ad, sponsored by a group called Nebraska Values Pac which opposes Ricketts' re-election bid, Jody Snogren says, “I have no idea why Senator Ricketts chose my rapist over me.”

As governor in 2022, Ricketts voted to pardon John Arias, who pleaded guilty to raping Snogren in 1993 and served 14 years in prison. Arias’ fellow American Legion members supported his pardon and praised his work after prison.

Ricketts was asked about his reaction to the ad in his Senate conference call Wednesday.

“As a husband and father of two girls, my heart goes out to Ms. Snogren. This was a terrible crime… and all accusations of sexual assault should be investigated and fully prosecuted under the law.

“That was true of this crime Mr. Arias committed against his wife. A pardon in Nebraska does not excuse anyone from jail time. In this case, the full sentence was first served, the pardon was granted nearly three decades after the crime,” Ricketts said.

Asked if he stands by his pardon decision, Ricketts added, “I made the best decision I could at the time with the information I had.”

Ricketts faces independent Dan Osborn and three minor party candidates in the Nov. 3 general election.