Sen. Mike Lee is endorsing Ben Sasse in the Nebraska Senate GOP primary contest, giving the president of Midland University the support of another high-profile conservative and tea party favorite in the tight Republican race.
“Nebraskans need Ben Sasse to represent their values, reformers in the Senate need his conservative vote, our country needs his voice,” Mr. Lee said in a statement. “Ben Sasse is a strong constitutional conservative who understands the proper role of government, has great respect for our democratic institutions, and will fight to ensure that the people’s voice is heard in Washington.”
Mr. Sasse, a former health official in the administration of George W. Bush, has won the backing of Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, and Rep. Paul Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, as well as the Senate Conservatives Fund, Club for Growth and Family Research Council.
Whoever wins the Republican primary race is expected to go on to win the general election and replace retiring GOP Sen. Mike Johanns.
A recent Harper Polling survey showed Mr. Sasse is in a statistical tie with Shane Osborn, a former state treasurer - with Mr. Osburn winning 30 percent of the 565 likely Republican primary voters polled and Mr. Sasse securing 29 percent.
The poll, which had a margin of error of 4 percent, found that Sid Dinsdale, a bankers, received 13 percent and Bart McLeay received 4 percent.
Mr. Lee said that Mr. Sasse realizes that Republicans need to offer voters a clear conservative agenda.
“Ben understands that while we have to fight hard to stop the policies of President Obama and the Washington establishment, he also recognizes that we must run and win on the power of our positive ideas,” Mr. Lee said. “He knows that conservatives have solid solutions to meet the great difficulties our country faces.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.
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