OMAHA — Preston Love Jr., a longtime advocate for North Omaha, is running again for the U.S. Senate, four years after stepping in as a write-in candidate for Nebraska Democrats in 2020.

Love’s campaign confirmed Thursday that he is announcing his bid Jan. 17. He is the highest-profile Democrat running for a seat held by Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, a former governor who was appointed to the seat in January 2023.

Love said he wants to unite people, to “represent all Nebraskans — not just the ones who agree with me or look like me.” He said he is “excited to celebrate this announcement with my supporters on Wednesday and build the movement we need to win this race.”

“I’m running for Senate to put people over politics and people over privilege,” Love said. “It’s time for leadership that works to bridge the economic, partisan, geographic, and racial gaps that are growing in our country and our state.” 

He tried to help Dems in 2020

In 2020, Democrats supported Love’s write-in bid instead of the Democratic nominee, Chris Janicek. Janicek had refused to quit the race amid allegations of mistreatment by a former staffer, including lewd texts. 

One reason Love ran against Janicek was to help Democrats motivate people in east Omaha to turn out for the state’s most competitive congressional race, in the 2nd District.

Love earned more than 58,000 votes, or 6% of the vote. His bid was Nebraska’s first by a Black Senate candidate who was backed by a major party in a general election.

This time, Love is taking a more traditional route: running in the Democratic Party primary. He will face Democrat Todd Newbold of Omaha in the Democratic primary.

Ricketts’ campaign had no immediate comment on Love’s entry into the race. 

Ricketts faces former 1st District House candidate John Glen Weaver in the Republican primary. Weaver lost the 2022 primary to Rep. Mike Flood, R-Neb. 

Democrats are considering backing Dan Osborn, a nonpartisan candidate and Omaha union leader, in Nebraska’s regularly scheduled Senate race against Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb.

Why the seat is up in 2024

Ricketts is also up for election after being tapped to replace former Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., who resigned in early 2023 to lead the University of Florida. 

Ricketts and any challengers are running to fill out the final two years of Sasse’s term. The seat will be up again in 2026 for a full six-year term.

Love is a mainstay of Democratic politics in Omaha and much of the state. He has worked to organize voters in communities of color and has sought investment in historic neighborhoods.

He has also advocated for fairer application of criminal justice, including prison reforms and other programs for people leaving prison, aimed at job training and life skills.

Love has taught courses in Black Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He also has worked to help North Omaha capitalize on its jazz history, including that of his father, Preston Love Sr. 

He managed Jesse Jackson’s national presidential campaign in 1984. He has also advised mayors in Chicago and Atlanta.

Love, who played football at Nebraska under coach Bob Devaney, worked in the nascent tech industry after college. He has openly talked about his fights with addiction and credited his faith with helping him find his footing again.