Categories: Politics

Nebraska Gov. Pillen appoints former Gov. Pete Ricketts to Senate seat vacated by Republican Ben Sasse

Newly sworn in Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen announced Thursday that his predecessor, former Gov. Pete Ricketts, will fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, who retired last week.

Ricketts, a Republican, will serve for two years before a special Senate election in 2024. An election for a full six-year Senate term would be held in 2026. 

“I’m very grateful for this unexpected opportunity to continue to serve the people of Nebraska,” Ricketts said at a press conference.

Pillen said 111 people applied for the vacant seat.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA APPROVES BEN SASSE TO BE SCHOOL’S NEXT PRESIDENT DESPITE OPPOSITION

Pete Ricketts, former governor of Nebraska, was appointed by his successor, Gov. Jim Pillen, to take the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Ben Sasse.
(Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images, File)

“I don’t believe in placeholders. I believe that every day matters,” Pillen said., adding that “placeholders don’t have any accountability to the people.”

The appointment came even after some fellow Republicans expressed reservations about Pillen selecting a benefactor of his.

Gov. Jim Pillen was sworn in as Nebraska’s governor last week.
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Ricketts helped Pillen, a veterinarian and hog farmer, win his party’s nomination after a contentious primary race featuring several candidates, including one endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

NEBRASKA SWEARS IN JIM PILLEN AS ITS 41ST GOVERNOR

Sasse left the Senate two years into his second term to pursue a new opportunity as president of the University of Florida.

U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, a Republican serving Nebraska, left the Senate last week to pursue an opportunity in academia as president of the University of Florida.
(Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Sasse has had a complicated relationship with Republicans in Nebraska after his outspoken criticism of Trump. He was one of seven Republican senators to vote to convict the former president of “incitement of insurrection” at his impeachment trial after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share

Recent Posts

Stanford prof accused of using AI to fake testimony in Minnesota case against conservative YouTuber

A Stanford University "misinformation expert" has been accused of using artificial intelligence (AI) to craft…

41 minutes ago

Entire police department resigns leaving South Carolina community without law enforcement presence

close Video Town's former police chief explains why entire department resigned Former Geary, Oklahoma, Police…

3 hours ago

Wrong-way driver arrested after striking multiple vehicles, shootout with police officer: ‘He’s got a gun!’

close Video Wrong-way driver caught on video firing rifle at officer at striking multiple vehicles…

3 hours ago

Blinken questioned for State Department hosting in-house therapy sessions after Trump win

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., took aim at Secretary of State Antony Blinken after it was…

3 hours ago

Fetterman admits Dems ‘sort of lost ourselves’ on key election issue

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., acknowledged that Democrats had a major problem when it came to…

6 hours ago

Sanctuary states, cities should explain to DOGE why they deserve federal money: MTG

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., on Sunday said leaders of sanctuary states and cities should…

6 hours ago