United States Senator P26


Debb Axtell Schultz

Republican

03/12/26, 3:57pm, texted request to participate, 
phone conversation, texting of photos, no email address
03/24/26, 4:23pm, text to ask if mailed copy was received
04/10/26, 10:04am, other volunteer talked to candidate on the phone and 
snail-mailed the questionnaire today.
04/11/26, 9:37am, candidate texted campaign website address
04/13/26, 12:09am, texted access link to campaign staffer.
04/13/26, 7:51am, campaign staff emailed email address
04/13/26. 10:55am, emailed access link and "paper" questionnaire to campaign staffer

Answers provided elsewhere:  
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-primary-u-s-senate/

Cindy Burbank

Democrat

03/12/26, 4:32pm, emailed access link and info
03/12/26, 4:36pm, text to alert to email
04/18/26, 12:29pm, Facebook messaged candidate.

Answers provided elsewhere:  
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-primary-u-s-senate/

William Forbes

Democrat

03/12/26, 5:01pm, emailed access link and info
03/12/26, 5:05pm, text to alert to sent email
03/17/26, 1:10pm, candidate texted "Hello."
03/17/26, 7:37pm, texted access link
04/18/26, 12:42pm, Sent email asking for participation
04/19/26, 11:36pm, emailed "paper" questionnaire

Answers provided elsewhere:  
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-primary-u-s-senate/   
https://nebraskavoterguide.com/candidates/william-j-forbes

Todd Knobel

Republican

03/12/26, 5:15pm, text to establish contact
04/18/26, 10:36am, texted access link
04/18/26, 12:34pm, Facebook messaged a reminder.

Answers provided elsewhere:  
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-primary-u-s-senate/  
https://nebraskavoterguide.com/candidates/todd-knobel

Mike Marvin

Legal Marijuana NOW

03/12/26, 5:28pm, text to establish contact
04/18/26, 7:12pm, texted access link

Answers provided elsewhere:  
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-primary-u-s-senate/

Eric Mortimore

Republican

03/12/26, 5:45pm, emailed access link and info
03/12/26, 5:51pm, text to alert to sent email
04/18/26, 12:49pm, Sent reminder

Answers provided elsewhere:  
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-primary-u-s-senate/   
https://nebraskavoterguide.com/candidates/eric-mortimore

Pete Ricketts

Republican
Website: petericketts.com

03/12/26, 6:08pm, emailed access link and info
03/12/26, 8:00pm, text alert that email was sent
04/18/26, 1:00pm, Sent request for participation.

Answers provided elsewhere:  
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-primary-u-s-senate/ 
https://nebraskavoterguide.com/candidates/pete-ricketts

Earl Starkey

Legal Marijuana

03/12/26, 8:22pm, emailed access link and info
03/12/26, 8:24pm, text to alert to sent email
Answers submitted online March 12, 2026 @ 10:32p.m..

Mac Stevens

Republican

03/12/26, 8:31pm, emailed access link and info
03/12/26, 8:32pm, texted that email had been sent.
04/10/26, 8:43pm, Sent email asking for participation.
04/16/26, 8:06am, Candidate responded to Facebook message and asked for link.
04/16/26, 9:42am, texted access link

Answers provided elsewhere:  
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/voter-guides/contests/2026-primary-u-s-senate/    
https://nebraskavoterguide.com/candidates/mac-stevens

Job Description

How office affects the voter

Lawmaking: The Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress responsible for creating and passing federal laws. Any bill must be approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives before it can be sent to the President for signature. Senators can introduce, debate, amend, and vote on proposed legislation, ensuring that laws are thoroughly considered.

Budget Approval: The Senate has the authority to approve federal budgets and spending bills, which is essential for the functioning of the government.

Duties and Responsibilities

Confirmation Powers:

Presidential Appointments: The Senate confirms presidential nominations for key positions, including Cabinet members, federal judges, and ambassadors. This process involves committee hearings and a full Senate vote, requiring a simple majority for confirmation.

Treaty Ratification: The Senate has the exclusive power to ratify treaties negotiated by the President. A two-thirds majority is required for ratification, making the Senate a critical player in foreign policy.

Oversight and Accountability:

Impeachment Trials: The Senate conducts trials for federal officials, including the President, who have been impeached by the House of Representatives. A two-thirds majority is needed to convict and remove an official from office.

Unique Procedural Rules:

Filibuster and Cloture: The Senate has unique rules that allow for extended debate on legislation, known as the filibuster. To end a filibuster and proceed to a vote, a cloture motion must be invoked, requiring the support of at least 60 senators.

See Complete Description

Job Description

How office affects the voter

Lawmaking: The Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress responsible for creating and passing federal laws. Any bill must be approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives before it can be sent to the President for signature. Senators can introduce, debate, amend, and vote on proposed legislation, ensuring that laws are thoroughly considered.

Budget Approval: The Senate has the authority to approve federal budgets and spending bills, which is essential for the functioning of the government.

Duties and Responsibilities

Confirmation Powers:

Presidential Appointments: The Senate confirms presidential nominations for key positions, including Cabinet members, federal judges, and ambassadors. This process involves committee hearings and a full Senate vote, requiring a simple majority for confirmation.

Treaty Ratification: The Senate has the exclusive power to ratify treaties negotiated by the President. A two-thirds majority is required for ratification, making the Senate a critical player in foreign policy.

Oversight and Accountability:

Impeachment Trials: The Senate conducts trials for federal officials, including the President, who have been impeached by the House of Representatives. A two-thirds majority is needed to convict and remove an official from office.

Unique Procedural Rules:

Filibuster and Cloture: The Senate has unique rules that allow for extended debate on legislation, known as the filibuster. To end a filibuster and proceed to a vote, a cloture motion must be invoked, requiring the support of at least 60 senators.

Requirements for the position

Requirements for the position

Other information

According to the Washington Insider, Strong communication skills, leadership ability, integrity, and a commitment to public service are essential traits for senators tasked with representing diverse constituencies and participating in complex negotiations.

Term of office

Term of office is 6 years, with no term limits.

Partisan?

Candidates are nominated by their party in a primary election

When election is held

Every six years, so sometimes in the Presidential election cycle, or sometimes in the Gubernatorial election cycle.

Links

Article 1 of the US Constitution



How office affects the voter

Lawmaking: The Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress responsible for creating and passing federal laws. Any bill must be approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives before it can be sent to the President for signature. Senators can introduce, debate, amend, and vote on proposed legislation, ensuring that laws are thoroughly considered.

Budget Approval: The Senate has the authority to approve federal budgets and spending bills, which is essential for the functioning of the government.

Duties and Responsibilities

Confirmation Powers:

Presidential Appointments: The Senate confirms presidential nominations for key positions, including Cabinet members, federal judges, and ambassadors. This process involves committee hearings and a full Senate vote, requiring a simple majority for confirmation.

Treaty Ratification: The Senate has the exclusive power to ratify treaties negotiated by the President. A two-thirds majority is required for ratification, making the Senate a critical player in foreign policy.

Oversight and Accountability:

Impeachment Trials: The Senate conducts trials for federal officials, including the President, who have been impeached by the House of Representatives. A two-thirds majority is needed to convict and remove an official from office.

Unique Procedural Rules:

Filibuster and Cloture: The Senate has unique rules that allow for extended debate on legislation, known as the filibuster. To end a filibuster and proceed to a vote, a cloture motion must be invoked, requiring the support of at least 60 senators.

Requirements for the position

Requirements for the position

Other information

According to the Washington Insider, Strong communication skills, leadership ability, integrity, and a commitment to public service are essential traits for senators tasked with representing diverse constituencies and participating in complex negotiations.

Term of office

Term of office is 6 years, with no term limits.

Partisan?

Candidates are nominated by their party in a primary election

When election is held

Every six years, so sometimes in the Presidential election cycle, or sometimes in the Gubernatorial election cycle.

Links

Article 1 of the US Constitution