What did Nebraska’s pardon board know before clearing a man convicted of sexual assault—and why is that decision resurfacing now?

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What Nebraska’s Board of Pardons knew before granting the pardon is not fully established in the material provided, but the record shows the board had at least the applicant’s conviction history and the underlying offense: a man who, according to newspaper accounts cited in the ad, pleaded guilty in the 1990s to sexual assault and went to prison. In Nebraska, pardons are typically considered only after a lengthy waiting period and are aimed at restoring civil rights and easing the consequences of a completed sentence; they do not erase the conviction or declare innocence. The key unresolved issue is whether board members, including then-Gov. Pete Ricketts, had before them detailed victim-impact information or a fuller account of the assault beyond the criminal case file and pardon application. The ad’s power comes from suggesting that, whatever procedural standard the board applied, it ultimately cleared a man whose crime remained deeply consequential to the victim. The decision is resurfacing now because it has become a campaign issue in Nebraska’s Senate race. A super PAC backing independent candidate Dan Osborn is using the pardon to question Ricketts’ judgment on crime and victim protection. That is especially pointed because Ricketts has recently highlighted tough-on-crime themes, including support for a registry for repeat violent offenders. The contrast between that message and his past vote on the pardon is what gives the issue renewed political force.

Osborn Super PAC Airs 60-Second Ad Targeting Ricketts Over Sexual Assault Pardon

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Osborn Super PAC Airs 60-Second Ad Targeting Ricketts Over Sexual Assault Pardon

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