On a press call Wednesday, Sept. 30, Nebraska US Sen. Pete Ricketts addressed his controversial 2022 pardon of convicted rapist John Arias, who pleaded guilty to the crime in 1993 and served 14 years. His pardon was recently spotlighted in a new political ad, where the victim, Jody Snogren, says, “I have no idea why Senator Ricketts chose my rapist over me.” The ad was sponsored by the group Nebraska Values PAC, which opposes the Republican incumbent’s bid for re-election. Ricketts is locked in a heated race with Independent front-runner Dan Osborn. The general election is Nov. 3.
