Ben Sasse
Ben Sasse | |
|---|---|
 Official photo, 2016 | |
| President of the University of Florida | |
| In office February 6, 2023 – July 31, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Kent Fuchs |
| Succeeded by | Kent Fuchs (acting) |
| United States Senator from Nebraska | |
| In office January 3, 2015 – January 8, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Johanns |
| Succeeded by | Pete Ricketts |
| 15th President of Midland University | |
| In office December 10, 2010 – December 31, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Stephen Fritz |
| Succeeded by | Jody Horner |
| Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Planning and Evaluation | |
| In office December 19, 2007 – January 20, 2009 | |
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Michael O'Grady |
| Succeeded by | Sherry Glied |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benjamin Eric Sasse February 22, 1972 Plainview, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Melissa McLeod (m. 1995) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | |
| Occupation |
|
| Website | Senate website |
Ben Sasse (born February 22, 1972) is an American politician, academic and political scientist. He was the United States Senator from Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. He is a member of the U.S. Republican Party.[1] Sasse was one of seven Republican senators who found Donald Trump guilty of incitement of insurrection in his second impeachment trial.
Early life
[change | change source]Sasse was born on February 22, 1972 in Plainview, Nebraska. He studied at Harvard University, St. John's College, Maryland and at Yale University.
U.S. Senator
[change | change source]In 2014, Sasse ran for a vacant seat in the U.S. Senate. He defeated Democratic nominee David Domina, 65% to 31%.[2] In 2020, Sasse was reelected.
On February 13, 2021 Sasse voted that Republican President Donald Trump was guilty of starting the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol. He and six other Republican senators also voted that Trump was guilty. This was after the House of Representatives Second impeachment of Donald Trump.[3]
Sasse resigned from the Senate on January 8, 2023 to become the president of the University of Florida.[4]
Academic career
[change | change source]On July 18, 2024, he announced his surprise resignation as president of the University of Florida because of his wife's health issues.[5] After his resignation, it was revealed that Sasse had spent a large amount of money as president to consulting contracts and high-paid remote positions.[6]
Health
[change | change source]On December 23, 2025, Sasse announced that he has been diagnosed with terminal "stage-four pancreatic cancer".[7]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Sasse, Benjamin Eric". Office of Art and Archives and Office of the Historian, The United States Congress. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
- ↑ "National election results 2014". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 29, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
- ↑ "7 Republicans found Trump 'guilty' of inciting Capitol riot. They explain their vote". Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ↑ Dress, Brad (2022-11-10). "Sasse leaving Senate in January after University of Florida approves him as president". The Hill. Retrieved 2022-11-13.
- ↑ Lawson, Lillian (July 18, 2024). "Ben Sasse will resign as UF president effective July 31". The Gainesville Sun. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
- ↑ Serret, Vivienne (August 16, 2024). "Sasse stepped down. Donors and top officials say he was forced out". The Independent Florida Alligator. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ↑ "Republican former senator Ben Sasse says he has terminal cancer". The Washington Post. 2025-12-23. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
Other websites
[change | change source]
- Ben Sasse, U.S. Senator for Nebraska, Home Page Archived 2016-04-18 at the Wayback Machine