NE-SEN: Ben Sasse is resigning

[wbrocks67]

https://twitter.com/IanMSwanson/status/1578103181196005376

[He's turned to dust now, one of the chosen few]

[riceowl]

Man it's still in rumor mode but...whew

[BenjiG98]

Didn't see that coming. Damn.

[President Johnson]

That comes really unexpectedly. Don't expect his replacement to be an upgrade, more likely a downgrade just like almost Republican turnovers have been in recent years (with Hatch/Romney a rare expection).

[Calthrina950]

This is legitimately shocking, but perhaps not entirely so. Sasse has never seemed to truly enjoy his time in the Senate.

[SnowLabrador]

That comes really unexpectedly. Don't expect his replacement to be an upgrade, more likely a downgrade just like almost Republican turnovers have been in recent years (with Hatch/Romney a rare expection).

[NewYorkExpress]

Someone like Don Stenberg would actually be an excellent choice as an appointment here.

[100% pro-choice no matter what]

Sad. He was probably one of the best Senate Rs, which is of course not saying much.

[Minnesota Mike]

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=32-565#:~:text=(1)%20When%20a%20vacancy%20occurs,be%20filled%20by%20the%20Governor.

United States Senator; vacancy; how filled.
(1) When a vacancy occurs in the representation of the State of Nebraska in the Senate of the United States, the office shall be filled by the Governor. The Governor shall appoint a suitable person possessing the qualifications necessary for senator to fill such vacancy.

(2)(a) If the vacancy occurs sixty days or less prior to a statewide general election and if the term vacated expires on the following January 3, the appointee shall serve until the following January 3.

(b) If the vacancy occurs sixty days or less prior to a statewide general election and if the term extends beyond the following January 3, the appointee shall serve until January 3 following the second statewide general election next succeeding his or her appointment and at such election a senator shall be elected to serve the unexpired term if any.

(3) If the vacancy occurs more than sixty days prior to a statewide general election, the appointee shall serve until January 3 following the statewide general election and at such election a senator shall be elected to serve the unexpired term if any.

Source
Laws 1994, LB 76, § 161;
Laws 1997, LB 764, § 52.

[soundchaser]

I wonder if Democrats would have a shot at this seat in 2026. Nebraska's certainly trending in that direction.

[EastOfEden]

Huh. Didn't see that coming.

I wonder if Democrats would have a shot at this seat in 2026. Nebraska's certainly trending in that direction.

Maybe in a special, if NE-01 this year was any indication. No chance in a general though.

[brucejoel99]

Can't say that he was on anybody's radar to replace Scott Frost, but it'd be all-but-impossible to be worse.

[Calthrina950]

Can't say that he was on anybody's radar to replace Scott Frost, but it'd be all-but-impossible to be worse.

I do wonder, however, if Sasse is getting tired putting up with the nonsense among his own caucus. I wouldn't be surprised if this sentiment is more widespread among Republicans who dislike Trump's influence over the party.

[2016]

I wonder if Democrats would have a shot at this seat in 2026. Nebraska's certainly trending in that direction.

Say hello to Senator Pete Ricketts in 2027. Ricketts will likely appoint a placeholder like maybe former Governor Dave Heineman and then run for the Seat himself.

[Spectator]

I wonder if Democrats would have a shot at this seat in 2026. Nebraska's certainly trending in that direction.

The metro areas definitely are, but Nebraska lacks the ancestral Dem areas that make a win like this feasible, unlike say a place like Kansas or Missouri. I think Nebraska flipping would be almost entirely dependent on racking up a 2-1 margin out of Douglas and Lancaster County and winning Sarpy County by double digits.

[Minnesota Mike]

https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1578109819491258369

[windjammer]

I wonder if Democrats would have a shot at this seat in 2026. Nebraska's certainly trending in that direction.

The votes aren't there yet

[Sestak]

Ricketts could also just name himself, no? If the resignation isn't until December it would be quite feasible.

[2016]

As a Conservative I am going to say this: The way Ricketts has handled COVID among other things he would be a MAJOR, MAJOR Upgrade for Conservatives compared to this phony Republican in name only Sasse.

[Minnesota Mike]

I wonder if Democrats would have a shot at this seat in 2026. Nebraska's certainly trending in that direction.

The metro areas definitely are, but Nebraska lacks the ancestral Dem areas that make a win like this feasible, unlike say a place like Kansas or Missouri. I think Nebraska flipping would be almost entirely dependent on racking up a 2-1 margin out of Douglas and Lancaster County and winning Saroyan County by double digits.

NE is not going to flip statewide while the rural areas are 80% Trump.

[Spectator]

I wonder if Democrats would have a shot at this seat in 2026. Nebraska's certainly trending in that direction.

The metro areas definitely are, but Nebraska lacks the ancestral Dem areas that make a win like this feasible, unlike say a place like Kansas or Missouri. I think Nebraska flipping would be almost entirely dependent on racking up a 2-1 margin out of Douglas and Lancaster County and winning Sarpy County by double digits.

NE is not going to flip statewide while the rural areas are 80% Trump.

Agreed, hence my lack of ancestral Dem areas comment. Maybe in the future if Omaha and Lincoln start voting 2-1 Dem, I could see a Dem eke out a win, but agreed.

[Gracile]

Huh. Didn't see that coming.

I wonder if Democrats would have a shot at this seat in 2026. Nebraska's certainly trending in that direction.

Maybe in a special, if NE-01 this year was any indication. No chance in a general though.

The shifts in the NE-01 special applied statewide would still not yield a Democratic win (yes, uniform swing is not real, but the floor is too high for the GOP when taking into account heavily Republican Western Nebraska).

[I love MAGA, don’t send me to the camps]

This is shocking. Why run again in 2020?

What Trumper lined up some $1mm job offer / big bucks to get him off their case?

Truly disappointing. We are going to be stuck with just lunatics in the GOP.

[Horus]

One of the most socially and fiscally conservative members of the Senate. He criticized Trump from the moral right and will not be missed.