Former Republican Sen. Ben Sasse said on Thursday that he is stepping down as president of the University of Florida due to his wife’s epilepsy and memory issues.
In a lengthy letter addressed to “Gator Nation and cherished friends,” the former Nebraska lawmaker said: “Gator Nation needs a president who can keep charging hard, Melissa deserves a husband who can pull his weight, and my kids need a dad who can be home many more nights. After extensive prayer and lots of family tears, I today asked UF Chair Mori Hosseini and our Board of Trustees to initiate a search for a new president of the university.”
Sasse explained that his wife, Melissa, suffered an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007 and has been diagnosed with epilepsy and is dealing with memory issues.
“It’s been hard, but we’ve faced it together,” he continued. “A lot of late nights, a lot of hard decisions, and a lotta ‘what matters most?’ conversations.”
