Ben Sasse

Ben Sasse – Life, Career, and Insights

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Learn about Ben Sasse — American politician, academic, and public intellectual. Explore his journey from Nebraska to the U.S. Senate, his writings, and his impact on education and civic discourse.

Introduction

Benjamin Eric “Ben” Sasse (born February 22, 1972) is an American political figure, scholar, and institutional leader. Over his career, he has served as a U.S. Senator from Nebraska (2015–2023), and later became President and Professor at the University of Florida.

Sasse is also a published author, writing on American culture, citizenship, and civic responsibility. His public profile is shaped not just by conservative politics, but also by critiques of polarization, reflections on education, and engagement with higher education reform.

Early Life and Education

Ben Sasse was born in Plainview, Nebraska, on February 22, 1972.

He graduated from Fremont Senior High School in Nebraska in 1990 as valedictorian.

For higher education:

• He earned his BA in Government from Harvard University in 1994.

• He then attained a MA in Liberal Studies from St. John’s College (Graduate Institute) in 1998.

• He completed further graduate work at Yale University, earning an MA, an MPhil, and in 2004, a PhD in History. His doctoral dissertation was titled “The Anti-Madalyn Majority: Secular Left, Religious Right, and the Rise of Reagan’s America.”

Early Career

After Harvard, Sasse worked briefly as a consultant for the Boston Consulting Group (1994–1995).

By the early 2000s, his career included roles in government and academia:

• He served part-time as an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin.

• He worked as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy (2004–2005) and briefly in congressional and homeland security advisory roles.

• Later, in 2007, President George W. Bush nominated him as Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the Department of Health and Human Services, a position he held from December 2007 to January 2009.

In 2010, Sasse was appointed President of Midland University (then Midland Lutheran College) in Nebraska. Under his leadership, enrollment grew and the institution was reorganized and rebranded.

U.S. Senate Tenure

Election & Terms

In 2014, Sasse ran for the U.S. Senate seat from Nebraska. He won decisively, defeating David Domina with about 64% of the vote.

He served from January 3, 2015, until his resignation on January 8, 2023, when he left to lead the University of Florida.

Key Moments & Positions

• Sasse often positioned himself as a principled conservative willing to dissent from party orthodoxy, especially in the Trump era.

• In February 2021, he was one of seven Republican senators to vote to convict Donald Trump on charges of incitement of insurrection following the January 6 Capitol attack.

• He pushed for term limits in Congress and even proposed repealing the Seventeenth Amendment (which mandates direct election of senators) so state legislatures would reclaim power to appoint senators.

• On policy, he was skeptical of sweeping federal expansions—especially in health care—and leaned toward conservative principles of limited government, individual responsibility, and institutional reform.

Committee & Legislative Influence

During his Senate tenure, Sasse served on several influential committees (Finance, Budget, Judiciary, Intelligence, among others). He also became known for his speeches, public commentary, and writings aimed at diagnosing what he saw as social and civic dysfunction in America.

University of Florida & Later Life

In late 2022, the University of Florida Board of Trustees selected Sasse as the institution’s 13th president. He assumed the role on February 6, 2023, resigning his Senate seat on January 8, 2023.

His tenure as president became controversial over issues such as hiring practices, budget expansions, and spending in his office, especially for consulting contracts and remote positions. An audit and media reporting drew scrutiny.

On July 18, 2024, Sasse announced his resignation, effective July 31, citing his wife’s health issues (epilepsy diagnosis and memory problems) as a key factor.

He continues to be affiliated with the University of Florida as a professor in its Hamilton Center and remains a voice in public affairs.

Writings & Ideas

Sasse has authored several books that reflect his interests beyond day-to-day politics:

• The Vanishing American Adult (2017) — a call for renewed maturity, work ethic, and self-reliance among young people.

• Them: Why We Hate Each Other — and How to Heal (2018) — exploring polarization, social fragmentation, and paths to civic renewal.

• He also co-edited Here We Stand!: A Call from Confessing Evangelicals for a Modern Reformation (2004).

In his public speeches and writings, Sasse often criticizes consumerism, digital distraction, ideological echo chambers, and what he sees as the weakening of civic institutions. He emphasizes that healthy democracy relies on engaged citizens embedded in concrete communities.

Personality, Style & Perspective

Sasse is viewed as an intellectual conservative with a reformist bend. He combines academic rigor with public engagement. His style is often moralistic and reflective, urging a cultural reexamination rather than purely partisan politics.

He has also cultivated a personal brand of relative moderation in a polarized era—sometimes earning criticism from both sides. His readiness to critique his own party, especially during the Trump years, made him a contentious but respected figure in Republican and independent circles.

Legacy and Challenges

• Bridge between politics and academia: Few U.S. senators have moved directly into leading a major public university. Sasse’s trajectory is unusual and speaks to his dual interests in governance and education.

• Voice of conservative dissent: His willingness to criticize his own party’s excesses may define his legacy as someone committed to principle over partisanship.

• Civic and cultural critique: Even beyond elected office, his books and public discourse contribute to debates about democracy, identity, and social cohesion.

• Controversial campus leadership: His presidency at UF drew intense scrutiny, which will influence retrospective assessments of his institutional acumen.