Former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse announced on Dec. 23 that he has been diagnosed with Stage IV 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 post on X while indicating he will receive treatment beginning next week, which will include chemotherapy. He expressed hope in emerging options like 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.
Senate 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 consultant firms, 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 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.
A final audit report from the Florida Auditor General was released in February 2025, 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 allow the university community to hear from the prospective leader.
The student forum with Sasse was cut short by the disruption, with protesters flooding the venue and making it difficult to continue. University administrators subsequently moved an employee session online to avoid similar disturbances.
Sasse’s announcement reflects a growing trend among public figures of openly sharing their health battles, using their platforms to raise awareness of serious illnesses while processing their diagnoses in public view. His direct approach in discussing his prognosis resonated with many who appreciated his candor during a challenging time.
