Citing family reasons, former Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman said Tuesday morning that he won’t be seeking the state’s highest office in 2022.
“As I listened to Nebraskans the past few months, I appreciated the strong support and encouragement they offered me to run again,” Heineman said in a message emailed to supporters. “I was very close to saying, ‘Yes,’ but family is very important to me, now more than ever.”
The Fremont resident said his 98-year-old mother is doing well in assisted living in the city. Heineman continued that he and his wife, Fremont City Councilwoman Sally Ganem, are only minutes away from their son, Sam, daughter-in-law Jessica and grandchildren Della, 4, and Ben, 1.
Heineman said he intends to remain politically active and support candidates who can be future leaders in the state. He didn’t endorse any of the six GOP candidates in the 2022 field that includes Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen, Falls City businessman Charles Herbster, former state Sen. Theresa Thibodeau, Michael Connely and Breland Ridenour.
Heineman became governor in January 2005 when Governor Mike Johanns became U.S. Agriculture Secretary. He was elected to his first full term in November 2006 and left office in January 2015. He turned 73 years old this year.
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