U.S. Senate candidate profile: Preston Love Jr.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Democrat Preston Love Jr. is challenging incumbent Pete Ricketts for a two year term in the U.S. Senate.

We sent questionnaires to each candidate in the race. Responses from candidates are posted verbatim and not edited for spelling, grammar, or content.

Preston Love Jr.

Political Party: Democrat

Seeking 2 year term

Website: https://love4senate.com/

1. Please provide a brief overview of your background and what drives you to seek this office.

I am running for U.S. Senate to put people over politics. Nebraskans deserve leaders who work to bridge the economic, partisan, geographic, and racial gaps that are growing in our country and our state. I’m ready to be that leader and get real results for all Nebraskans. Throughout my career as an advocate, author, and educator, I have been committed to economic inclusion and community engagement. As your Senator, I’ll prioritize rural and urban economic development, reproductive rights, affordable healthcare, and protecting voting rights.

2. What would be your top three priorities if (re)elected?

As your Senator, I’ll prioritize access to affordable healthcare, reproductive rights, and the advancement of Nebraska’s rural and urban economies.

3. How do you plan to advocate for federal support for Nebraska’s agriculture industry?

I’ll advocate for sustained and increased funding for risk management programs within the Farm Bill, offering Nebraska farmers financial stability in the face of market uncertainties and extreme weather events. I also recognize the unique contributions that family-owned and small-scale farms bring to our agricultural landscape and rural communities. I’ll fight for targeted funding, fewer regulatory burdens, and more incentives for them to help support their stability and revenue.

4. What strategies do you propose to enhance the economy?

I believe we can foster robust economic growth and job opportunities in both urban and rural communities across Nebraska by investing in infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and funding rural development initiatives. I’ll also fight for jobs with fair wages and working conditions for our local workforce.

5. What reforms need to be made to border security and immigration, if any? How do these issues directly impact Nebraskans?

I support a bipartisan effort to fix our immigration system. We must create a path to citizenship for those who want to contribute to our economy - this is especially important in our agriculture industry and the processing plants that are an important economic driver for Nebraska.

6. What is your stance on U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza? Do you support funding for these conflicts or sanctions against Russia?

We should be thoughtful and intentional about our involvement in foreign affairs. There are situations where U.S. interests are at stake, or the interests of our NATO partners, where we must step up to protect democracy across the globe. Both conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza represent situations where we are called to intervene to protect human rights and advocate for humanitarian outcomes.

7. How would you balance being mindful of taxpayer spending and also providing critical services like infrastructure, social security and more to Nebraskans?

I will first and foremost be a strong advocate for Nebraska’s unique needs in the federal budget appropriations process. It is critical that we utilize and leverage federal funds to support agriculture, infrastructure, and community needs here in Nebraska. I believe we can provide these critical services while also spending responsibly.

8. Many Americans are frustrated and distrustful of our leadership in Washington. How can you work to help rebuild trust between Government and the American people?

Our current leaders are stoking the partisan, geographic, and racial divides in our state instead of working to bridge them. This results in policy decisions that are driven by political calculations and self-interest. As I speak with voters all across the state, I’ve heard time and time again that Nebraskans are fed up. I’m running for Senate to put people over politics and deliver real results for our urban and rural communities.

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