Just two days after announcing her bid for Nebraska State Treasurer, former State Senator Julie Slama has suspended her bid, endorsing the new appointee.
On Monday, Nov. 3, Slama announced her campaign for chief financial officer of the state, preempting—by a matter of hours—the resignation of sitting Treasurer Tom Briese. Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg was appointed as Briese’s successor, in tandem, by Governor Jim Pillen.
“I launched my campaign to bring new energy and a fresh perspective to the State Treasurer’s office,” said Slama in a statement. “After Monday’s announcement of a leadership change in the office and after meeting with Joey Spellerberg today, I believe Joey will bring the energy and perspective needed in the role of State Treasurer.”
Slama, the 29-year-old republican from Dunbar represented Nebraska’s 1st legislative district from 2019 to 2025. She was appointed to the position at the age of 23 to replace resigning Sen. Dan Watermeier. She decided not to seek re-election in 2024, citing new opportunities in the private sector and the recent birth of her first child.
Her announcement, and it’s timing, stirred speculation of intra-party conflict for the NEGOP. In 2024, Slama broke from the party to oppose a Pillen-backed property tax plan to emphasize sales taxes. Briese helped develop the plan.
But now, Slama is suspending her bid and endorsing Spellerberg in the 2026 election.
“Too often in our party, primary races turn into expensive and bitter feuds with no upside for voters or for our party,” Slama’s statement read. “This race will not be one of those circumstances.”
In a statement, Spellerberg thanked Slama for her support and praised her for being “instrumental” in Nebraska’s young republican movement.
“From her leadership in advancing election integrity with the overwhelming passage of the Constitutional Amendment for Voter ID, to her remarkable advocacy for her district during the historic 2019 floods, Julie has set a strong example of effective and principled leadership,” Spellerberg said. “I am confident we will continue working together to bring conservative results to Nebraska.”
Early donors to Slama’s Treasurer campaign will be refunded, according to her announcement.
“Thank you to my family, friends, and the rest of Team Slama for your support,” she concluded.