Former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse announced that he has been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer that has metastasized to other parts of his body, delivering the devastating news in a candid post on social media.
Sasse described the diagnosis he received last week in his X post while indicating he will receive treatment, including possible immunotherapy.
The announcement sent shockwaves through political circles, prompting expressions of support from both sides of the aisle. Senate Republican Leader John Thune responded to the news with words of encouragement in a social media response to Sasse’s announcement.
Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also expressed solidarity with his former colleague despite their political differences during Sasse’s tenure in the Senate.
Sasse represented Nebraska as a Republican Senator from 2015 to 2023, before leaving the chamber to assume the presidency of the University of Florida. His departure from that role would later become mired in controversy, but the immediate focus has shifted to his health battle.
The senator resigned as University of Florida president citing his wife’s health, a decision that preceded revelations about substantial spending during his brief tenure leading the institution.
Sasse’s time at the University of Florida became the subject of intense scrutiny following reporting by the Independent Florida Alligator, which uncovered a financial scandal involving his office’s expenditures. The spending raised questions about accountability and oversight at the prestigious institution.
A preliminary audit report released by the Florida Auditor General detailed how Sasse’s office spent $14.8 million during the 2023-24 academic year, representing a 72 percent spending increase from the previous year. The findings showed $6.4 million went to a consultant firm, while $563,825 was spent on catering for just eight events.
The audit revealed that 24 people were hired by Sasse’s office between February 6, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Their contracted annual salaries ranged from $75,000 to $687,000, with an average of $249,931. University records showed that 14 of those positions had no job descriptions, raising questions about the hiring process and salary determinations.
Additionally, 13 University of Florida employees under Sasse’s administration worked remotely from other states, including California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The arrangement sparked debates about work expectations and institutional resources.
Despite resigning from his presidential role, Sasse retained his $1 million annual base salary as president emeritus through February 2028. The arrangement drew criticism given the abbreviated nature of his tenure and the spending controversies that emerged.
The final audit report from the Florida Auditor General is expected to be completed in the next several weeks, potentially providing additional details about financial practices during Sasse’s presidency.
Sasse’s appointment as the sole finalist for the University of Florida president position generated immediate controversy on campus. On October 11, 2022, students protested his candidacy at Emerson Alumni Hall, disrupting a forum that was intended to give the university community an opportunity to hear from the prospective leader.
The student forum with Sasse was cut short due to the disruption, with protesters flooding the venue and making it difficult for the session to continue. University administrators subsequently moved an employee session to an online format to avoid similar disturbances.
The diagnosis comes as pancreatic cancer continues to be one of the most challenging forms of the disease to treat. Stage-four indicates the cancer has spread beyond its original location, significantly complicating treatment options and reducing survival rates.
Sasse’s announcement reflects a growing trend of public figures sharing their health battles openly, using their platforms to bring awareness to serious illnesses while processing their diagnoses in public view. His direct approach in discussing his prognosis resonated with many who appreciated his candor during an extraordinarily difficult time.
The former senator’s decision to pursue immunotherapy represents hope in emerging treatment options that have shown promise for some cancer patients in recent years. Medical advances continue to offer new possibilities even for patients facing advanced-stage diagnoses, though outcomes remain uncertain and highly individual.
As Sasse confronts his diagnosis, the political community has largely set aside partisan differences to express support for him and his family. The outpouring from colleagues including both Thune and Schumer underscores the personal connections that often transcend political divisions, particularly in moments of profound crisis.
The spending audit, while separate from his health announcement, remains an outstanding issue that the university and state auditors continue to examine. The findings have prompted discussions about governance and oversight mechanisms at Florida’s flagship public university.
For now, attention has shifted to Sasse’s health battle as he begins what he acknowledges will be a difficult fight against an aggressive form of cancer. His public announcement has brought renewed attention to pancreatic cancer research and the urgent need for improved early detection methods and treatment protocols.
