Former Nebraska U-S Senator Ben Sasse has been diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. Sasse confirmed the news on social media Tuesday morning. “Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff, it’s a death sentence,” Sasse says.
“This is hard for someone wired to work and build, but harder still as a husband and a dad. I can’t begin to describe how great my people are. During the past year, as we’d temporarily stepped back from public life and built new family rhythms, Melissa and I have grown even closer , and that on top of three decades of the best friend a man could ever have.”
Sasse says he is not going down without a fight. “As our family faces the reality of treatments, but more importantly as we celebrate Christmas, we wish you peace.”
The 53-year-old Sasse served as Nebraska’s U. S. Senator from 2015 to 2023. He then took the job as president of the University of Florida and resigned a year later due to his wife’s epilepsy.
Governor Jim Pillen issued a statement following the announcement. “We know Ben will give his fight against cancer all he’s got. A relentless advocate for Nebraska values , especially the pro-life movement, agriculture, and common sense, Ben’s love of service and the people of our state is unmistakable. The First Lady and I lift Ben, Melissa, and the Sasse kids up in our prayers.”
Friends-
This is a tough note to write, but since a bunch of you have started to suspect something, I’ll cut to the chase: Last week I was diagnosed with metastasized, stage-four pancreatic cancer, and am gonna die.
Advanced pancreatic is nasty stuff; it’s a death sentence.…
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) December 23, 2025