Lincoln neurosurgeon Dr. Jeremy Hosein gathered with supporters Friday morning to announce his candidacy for the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
Hosein is running for the District 1 seat, representing the northern half of Lancaster County. The seat is currently held by longtime Regent Tim Claire, who announced he would not seek a 4th term after 18 years of service.
If elected, Hosein would celebrate his return to NU’s governing board, as he previously served as a Student Regent for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He graduated from UNMC’s College of Medicine and currently serves as Division Chair of Neurosurgery at Bryan Medical Center.
His announcement was coupled with endorsements from prominent Nebraska Republicans, including former Governor Dave Heineman, former Lincoln Senator & once-myoral candidate Suzanne Geist, Attorney General Mike Hilgers, and former Chief Medical Officer under Gov. Heineman Dr. Joann Schaefer.
“I’m running for the board because the challenges facing our students demand both vision and experience,” said Hosein. “We’re living in a time of extraordinary change.”
Hosein, a Papillion native, carries some public policy experience beyond his time as student regent. He previously served as Policy Advisor to Governors Heineman and Mike Johanns and later advised the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services as a White House Fellow.
Former Governor Dave Heineman. (Chase Porter, KLIN News)
“It’s very seldom that we’ve had a Nebraskan who achieved the distinction of being a White House Fellow, but Jeremy did,” said Heineman. “He knows the extraordinary value of UNL and the University of Nebraska system as an economic engine for the state of Nebraska.”
The rising prominence of curriculum in artificial intelligence (AI) was mentioned first by Hosein when speaking on campaign priorities.
“Our students are entering a world transformed by artificial intelligence and automation, causing rapid economic disruption in all industries,” he said. “The next five years will demand graduates who can work alongside AI, harness it’s power ethically, and innovate in ways that benefit society.”
His campaign website also emphasizes strengthening academic programs, keeping tuition affordable, aligning degrees with Nebraska’s future workforce needs, and keeping the University rooted in service.
The timing of Hosein’s announcement is conspicuous. The day before, Dr. Brian Maher—Nebraska’s current Commissioner of Education—announced he was suspending his candidacy for the District 1 seat on the NU Board, citing family and professional obligations. Hosein’s campaign team said the timing was coincidental.
Maher’s decision briefly left Brent Comstock, the 30-year-old founder of the Lincoln-based multi-million dollar marketing firm BCom, as the sole candidate in the race. Maher was the registered Republican, running in the technically non-partisan race. Before dropping out, Maher secured the unanimous and bipartisan endorsement of the State Board of Education.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Commissioner Maher,” Hosein told reporters Friday. “He and I had a wonderful phone call last night and we plan to meet and share our vision together for the university. His heart’s in the right place. At the end of the day this isn’t about this run. It’s not about this office. It’s about this university and how do we get it through challenging times to keep it competitive.”
Hosein described his relationship with Gov. Jim Pillen as positive, adding they came onto the NU Board around the same time. “He continues to be a friend,” he said of Pillen.
A student of medicine, Hosein said he hopes to see NU scholars enjoy the same star-power emphasis as NU athletes.
“There are superstars in medicine, in engineering, in agriculture. They’re across the United States and I would love to see the university recruit them with the same kind of fervor that we recruit our Husker volleyball and football coaches. I believe the energy is there. I believe our boosters are there and they believe in this university to stay competitive,” he said.
When asked about the University’s financial status, in light of UNL announcing $27.5 million in forthcoming budget cuts, Hosein said, “we’re living in a time of competing interests, and limited resources.”
“We can’t cut our way to the top. I think the mission of the university is only going to be preserved if it has a strategic vision of what that future is going to look like. There are roles for AI to play in administration, in vacant positions, that I think can make the university incredibly efficient, but also responsive as a good steward of taxpayer dollars. We should look at those innovations now, not tomorrow, not next year, but now, while we’re in this era of austerity,” he said.
Voters will decide on May 12, 2026.
Dr. Jeremy Hosein for University of Nebraska Board of Regents sign. (Chase Porter, KLIN News)