WASHINGTON — (AP) — Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse is the only real finalist to change into president of the College of Florida, the college stated Thursday, and the Republican senator indicated he’ll take the job — that means he’ll doubtless resign within the coming weeks.

The varsity stated in a press release that its presidential search committee had unanimously advisable Sasse, a choice that must be be voted on by the college’s board of trustees after which confirmed by the board of governors. He’s to go to the campus on Monday to satisfy with college students, school and different members of the college neighborhood, the college stated.

In a press release launched by the college, Sasse stated he was “thrilled in regards to the alternative to work alongside one of many nation’s most excellent colleges.”

Sasse shall be one among a number of Republican critics of former President Donald Trump who gained’t be returning to Congress subsequent yr -– and one among many who paid a value again residence for his antagonism. Although Sasse isn’t up for reelection till 2026, he has confronted heavy criticism from members of his state celebration. And the tutorial, generally acerbic senator who as soon as appeared headed for a presidential run grew to become sidelined amid his celebration’s embrace of the previous president.

Sasse’s anticipated resignation is unlikely to have an effect on the stability of the 50-50 Senate, as Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts would appoint a successor if Sasse resigns earlier than Jan. 3. If Sasse had been to depart the Senate after that, when Ricketts retires and leaves workplace, his successor would appoint Sasse’s substitute. Republican Jim Pillen is closely favored to win that governor’s race.

Sasse was president of Midland College, a Christian college in japanese Nebraska, earlier than he ran for the Senate.

In a tweet, Sasse stated he had been pursued by different universities however “this time is totally different as a result of the College of Florida may be very totally different.”

“If UF desires to go huge, I am excited in regards to the big selection of alternatives,” he stated.

Sasse is a second-term senator who has had a sophisticated relationship with Republicans in his personal state after his outspoken criticism of Trump. He was one among seven Republican senators to vote to convict the previous president of “incitement of rebellion” after the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol assault.

Nebraska Republicans reprimanded Sasse however stopped in need of censuring him after the impeachment trial. The state GOP’s Central Committee handed a decision final February expressing “deep disappointment and disappointment” about Sasse’s method to his work within the Senate. The state celebration urged him to signify “the folks of Nebraska to Washington and never Washington to the folks of Nebraska.”

On the time, Sasse disregarded the criticism from his celebration and famous his conservative voting document within the Senate. He stated Nebraska celebration activists had been “hacked off” that he condemned Trump’s statements to a crowd simply earlier than the riot on the U.S. Capitol.

After voting to convict Trump, Sasse stated he had “promised to talk out when a president – even of my very own celebration – exceeds his or her powers.”

“I can not return on my phrase, and Congress can not decrease our requirements on such a grave matter, just because it’s politically handy,” he stated. “I have to vote to convict.”

In March 2016, the Nebraska GOP’s Central Committee did censure him for his criticism of then-candidate Trump. In 2019, Sasse toned down that criticism when he was operating for reelection in opposition to a pro-Trump major challenger. Trump later endorsed Sasse, saying he had accomplished a “great job” representing Nebraska.

A yr later, although, Trump referred to as on Republicans to exchange Sasse after he criticized him once more.

Sasse’s substitute would serve two years forward of a 2024 particular election for the seat. The winner of that election would then need to run once more in 2026, when Sasse’s time period expires.

Nebraska’s different senator, Deb Fischer, is up for re-election in 2024, so Nebraska would have two Senate seats to vote on that yr.

Of the seven GOP senators who voted to convict Trump throughout his second impeachment in 2021, two others are retiring. Within the Home, eight of the ten Republicans who voted for impeachment are both retiring or misplaced their primaries.

Sasse, who has levels from Harvard and Yale, labored within the Justice Division and as an assistant secretary of Well being and Human Providers below President George W. Bush earlier than he grew to become president of Midland College. Midland is a small college primarily based in Fremont, Nebraska, that has simply over 1,600 college students.

Rahul Patel, chair of the Florida search committee that’s recommending Sasse for the job, stated he “brings mental curiosity, a perception within the energy and potential of American universities and an unmatched observe document of management spanning larger schooling, authorities and the personal sector.”

Gov. Ricketts wished Sasse luck in a press release after the college’s announcement.

Sasse “has some of the conservative voting information within the Senate, and we want extra conservative voices in our universities,” Ricketts stated.

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Related Press author Kevin Freking contributed to this report. Funk contributed from Omaha.

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