Sasse expected to resign Senate seat, likely to be next University of Florida president

Sasse expected to resign Senate seat, likely to be next University of Florida president

Sen. Ben Sasse is expected to resign his Senate seat, Fox News has confirmed, and is likely to accept a new job as president of the University of Florida.

The University of Florida announced Thursday that Sasse, R-Neb., is the lone finalist being considered by its presidential search committee.

Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., is expected to resign.
(Tasos Katopodis-Pool)

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“This is right for the University of Florida, right for the state of Florida and right for the Sasse family,” Rahul Patel, the chair of the school’s presidential search committee, said. “Ben brings intellectual curiosity, a belief in the power and potential of American universities, and an unmatched track record of leadership spanning higher education, government and the private sector.”

“He has worked tirelessly for decades to empower people to accomplish their goals, placing education at the forefront of his lifelong service to this great nation. Having taught at the University of Texas, and served as a college president, Ben’s experiences are also deep and broad — from healthcare and technology to history and philosophy,” Patel added.

The senator, who was one of the most vocal GOP critics of former President Donald Trump and voted to convict him on his second impeachment, tweeted a Tampa Bay Times article about the University of Florida president search.

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Sasse would likely resign his post in December and start his new job at University of Florida in February.

Sasse was first elected in 2014 and reelected in 2020. That means his current Senate term is not up until 2026. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, will appoint Sasse’s replacement, who will serve until a 2024 special election is held for the seat.

After that, Nebraska will hold a regular election for a senator to serve a full six-year term.