06/29/2026
Updated:
Nebraska Working People Party: A newly attempted political party was filed for the 2026 midterms. Organizers are working to gather over 6,700 signatures by a July 15 deadline to place their candidates on the ballot, though this effort is facing pushback and legal threats from state Democratic officials who claim it's an attempt to field "spoiler" candidates.
If the group succeeds in collecting signatures, Nebraska state law allows it to place its own candidates on the general election ballot, essentially letting the party bypass a primary election.
There’s a progressive, grassroots political party called the “Working Families Party,” but it appears this effort isn’t related. An interview request into the national Working Families Party group wasn’t returned before the publication of this story.
In a statement to Nebraska Public Media News on Saturday, NDP Chair Jane Kleeb said, “Billionaire Pete Ricketts is at it again. Nebraska Democrats are building a coalition to end one-party Republican rule – and with 130 days left before the election, there’s only one reason to launch a new party this late – divide the vote and create chaos. Voters see through spoiler games funded by special interests.”
Ron Kaminski, NDP vice chair, shared a similar message on social media, writing, “Nebraskans: If someone asks you to sign a petition for a new political party called the Nebraska working families party, don’t sign it. It is not supported by labor. It is not supported by the Nebraska AFL-CIO, Nebraska Building and Trades, or the Omaha Federation of Labor. It is being started by losing candidates and they are using that name to deceive voters. They are mad they lost their elections and don’t have any way to rip off donors any longer. It is also being funded by Republicans because all this new party wants to do is help Pete Ricketts, Jim Pillen, Mike Flood and Brinker Harding win their elections.”
Media requests sent to the Ricketts and Flood campaigns were not returned before the publication of this story. Leaders with the Nebraska GOP didn't confirm or deny if the state's top Republican leaders were involved with the effort.
Richards is a registered Democrat. She lost a write-in campaign in Legislative District 12 earlier this year. That district is in south-central Douglas County that includes Omaha and Ralston. Following her loss, Richards endorsed incumbent Republican state Sen. Merv Riepe for the general election.
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RICKETTS is at it again. Can't win without cheating? Do not sign this petition.
🚨 Urgent Update: Ricketts aligned groups are funding a new scam to try and buy the elections across our state. Because the coalition of Democratic and Independent voters and candidates did so well in the primary they are now creating a "new" party attempting to create chaos, split the vote and add spoilers to the ballot. Know this, it's the "Working for Ricketts Party" despite what their petition says.
ASKS:
1. Do not sign the petition to give Ricketts and Pillen more power.
2. If you see these petitioners please video them. Ask them about the petition. See if they read the full petition purpose. Then DECLINE to sign. Send video to [email protected]
3. Share this entire post.
Statement from Chair Jane Kleeb: "Billionaire Pete Ricketts is at it again. Nebraska Democrats are building a coalition to end one-party Republican rule — and with 128 days left before the election, there’s only one reason to launch a new party this late--divide the vote and create chaos. Voters see through spoiler games funded by billionaires. They are calling themselves the Nebraska Working People Party but their real name is Working for Ricketts Party."
