Sen. Ben Sasse will likely soon resign to accept job as university president

Ben Sasse.
(Image credit: Erin Schaff-Pool/Getty Images)

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) is expected to resign his Senate seat to become president of the University of Florida, two people familiar with the matter told Politico on Thursday.

The University of Florida confirmed that Sasse is the only finalist for the position. In a statement, Sasse, who was president of Midland University before running for Senate, said he and his wife have been "pursued by wonderful institutions the past two years, but we've resisted being a finalist. This time is different because the University of Florida is different: I think Florida is the most interesting university in America right now."

If Sasse resigns, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) would appoint a replacement, and in 2024, the seat would be filled in a special election. A person with knowledge of the matter told Politico Ricketts himself is considered a potential appointee for the seat, in addition to Nebraska Republican Reps. Don Bacon and Mike Flood.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Sasse is now serving his second term. A reliable conservative vote, Sasse was at times critical of former President Donald Trump, and was one of seven Republicans in the Senate to vote in favor of impeachment during Trump's second trial.

To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.