FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Republican agribusiness owner Charles Herbster officially launched his campaign for Nebraska governor after previously filing last year.
Herbster, of Falls City, emphasized his agricultural roots and his ties to former President Donald Trump during his formal announcement Monday in Fremont. Herbster is the owner of Herbster Angus Farms in Falls City and the owner and CEO of Conklin Company, based in Kansas City, Missouri. He also worked as an agriculture adviser to Trump.
“We are going to fight for the best Nebraska we’ve ever had tax-wise, education-wise, immigration and all the things that are important to us,” Herbster said in his announcement.
Herbster joins a GOP gubernatorial field that includes University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, a hog producer from Columbus. State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, of Omaha, has also announced his intentions to enter the race. The candidates are vying to replace Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts, who will leave office because of term limits in January 2023.
Herbster already selected a running mate, Theresa Thibodeau, a former Nebraska state senator and chairwoman of the Douglas County Republican Party.
Herbster attended a rally of Trump supporters in Washington on Jan. 6 shortly before some stormed the U.S. Capitol, but left before the insurrection.
The Nebraska Democratic Party blasted Herbster in a statement, comparing him to Ricketts, a multimillionaire who aligned himself with Trump.
“Nebraska does not need another right-wing millionaire in the governor’s mansion who is out of touch with hardworking Nebraskans,” said Jane Kleeb, the party’s chairwoman.
