'It's a death sentence': Former Senator Ben Sasse announces cancer diagnosis

December 23, 2025

Ben Sasse, a 53-year-old former Nebraska senator who served from 2015 to 2023, has publicly revealed his diagnosis of stage-four metastatic pancreatic cancer, acknowledging the severity of his prognosis. During his Senate tenure, he gained attention as one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Donald Trump during his second impeachment trial following the January 6 Capitol riot, despite often aligning with Trump on policy matters. After departing Congress, Sasse briefly served as University of Florida's president before resigning in July 2024 to care for his wife following her stroke.

Who is affected

Ben Sasse (former senator and university president with cancer diagnosis)
Sasse's wife (stroke survivor requiring care)
Sasse's three children
University of Florida (former employer)
Students and staff at University of Florida
Nebraska constituents (former represented population)

What action is being taken

Sasse is undergoing treatment for his cancer, as indicated by his statement "I'm not going down without a fight."

Why it matters

This matters because Sasse was a prominent Republican senator who took a principled stance against his own party's leader during a critical constitutional moment, voting to convict Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection. His diagnosis at age 53 highlights the devastating nature of advanced pancreatic cancer. Additionally, his situation draws attention to the challenges faced by public figures dealing with personal health crises while under scrutiny for professional controversies, as his departure from University of Florida is now clouded by spending allegations.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC