Current:Home > InvestNebraska governor names former State Board of Education member to fill vacant legislative seat -TrueNorth Finance Path
Nebraska governor names former State Board of Education member to fill vacant legislative seat
View
Date:2025-04-17 21:55:44
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen appointed on Wednesday fellow Republican and former State Board of Education member Fred Meyer to fill a vacant legislative seat representing eight central Nebraska counties.
Meyer, of St. Paul, will finish the term of former state Sen. Tom Briese, who vacated the seat in October after Pillen tapped him to fill the vacant post of state treasurer.
Meyer, who owns and operates a cattle farm near St. Paul, served on the Education Board from 1999 to 2010.
Pillen said during a news conference to announce the appointment that Meyer assured him he will only serve the remainder of Briese’s term, which runs through the end of 2024, and not seek election to the upcoming term. Pillen said that was important to him, because other candidates have already launched campaigns for the seat.
Neither the governor nor Meyer will be endorsing anyone running for the seat in 2024, Pillen said.
“We believe that the people of District 41 are best served to find out who works the hardest, who will be able to earn the seat,” he said.
One of Pillen’s first actions after being elected governor last November was to appoint his predecessor, outgoing Gov. Pete Ricketts, to Nebraska’s U.S. Senate seat vacated by Republican Ben Sasse. Sasse left the Senate only two years into his second term to become president of the University of Florida.
The move was roundly criticized by Democrats and even some Republicans who said the appointment gave the appearance of a pay-to-play deal. Pillen was elected in large part because of Ricketts’ backing, which included more than $1 million of his own money to political actions committees supporting Pillen and directly to his campaign.
Ricketts announced this summer that he’ll seek election to the U.S. Senate seat in a special election next year.
veryGood! (841)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Get Your Buzzers Ready and Watch America's Got Talent's Jaw-Dropping Season 19 Trailer
- Woman who used Target self-checkout to steal more than $60,000 of items convicted of theft
- FAA investigates Boeing for falsified records on some 787 Dreamliners
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- NFL schedule's best grudge games: Who has something to settle in 2024?
- High school students, frustrated by lack of climate education, press for change
- Here’s why the verdict in New Hampshire’s landmark trial over youth center abuse is being disputed
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- 'Baby Reindeer' shines light on complicated aspects of sexual abuse
Ranking
- Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
- What happens if you fall into a black hole? NASA simulations provide an answer.
- Starbucks rolling out new boba-style drinks with a fruity 'pearl' that 'pops in your mouth'
- Stock market today: Asian shares mixed after calm day on Wall St
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- When is the 2024 NFL schedule release? Expected date comes in new report
- Official resigns after guilty plea to drug conspiracy in Mississippi and North Carolina vape shops
- Russia plans tactical nuclear weapons drills near Ukraine border, citing provocative statements from NATO
Recommendation
South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
Katy Perry and Rihanna didn’t attend the Met Gala. But AI-generated images still fooled fans
Police clear Pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University, dozens arrested
Democrats hope abortion issue will offset doubts about Biden in Michigan
Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
TikTok sues Biden administration to block new law that could lead to U.S. ban
U.S. soldier is detained in Russia, officials confirm
NFL schedule's best grudge games: Who has something to settle in 2024?