Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) who is reportedly the “sole finalist” to take over as president of the University of Florida, on Monday was met with loud protests during his first appearance on campus since the news of his potential appointment broke.
Sasse held three separate sessions with university faculty, students and staff on the Gainesville campus.
Protesters gathered outside the room where the student Q&A session was held, chanting: “Hey, hey, ho, ho. Ben Sasse has got go.”
Protesters eventually entered the room the meeting was being held in, resulting in the forum ending 15 minutes ahead of schedule, according to the Independent Florida Alligator, the university’s student newspaper.
During the session, Sasse addressed the demonstrations.
“Obviously, I wish they didn’t have the position they have, but I strongly support the right people to protest and exercise their free speech rights,” Sasse said, according to The Hill. “I won’t say I precisely welcome the protesters, but I sort of intellectually and constitutionally welcome the protesters.”
The demonstrations were sparked in part by Sasse’s conservative opinions on issues, including same-sex marriage.
The Nebraska senator called the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex unions, “a disappointment to Nebraskans who understand that marriage brings a wife and husband together so their children can have a mom and dad,” in a statement dated June 26, 2015.
The statement continued: “As a society, we need to celebrate marriage as the best way to provide stability and opportunity for kids.”
Asked on Monday whether he would stand behind the university’s LGBTQ community, Sasse replied: “Your question is: Do I support and affirm everybody in this community? Absolutely.”
Sasse also said the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision “is the law of the land and nothing about Obergefell is changing in the United States.”
During the summer, Sasse celebrated the high court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade.
“The pro-life movement’s work has just begun,” he said in a statement. “This issue will now be debated in the 50 states, and a 330,000,000-person, continental nation will work through this debate in a way that’s healthier than Roe’s one-size-fits-all, Washington-centrism.”
Asked about his abortion stance, Sasse reportedly said the presidential role does not involve any decisions around the medical procedure, according to The Hill.
Sasse also addressed how he would maintain his commitment to the prospective presidential post and avoid being drawn into politics.
“One of the things that’s appealing about this, frankly, is the opportunity to step back from politics,” Sasse said, according to the Independent Florida Alligator.
Sasse on Thursday emerged as the only finalist in the search to succeed current president W. Kent Fuchs, who announced his resignation in January.
“I’m delighted to be in conversation with the leadership of this special community about how we might together build a vision for UF to be the nation’s most-dynamic, bold, future-oriented university,” Sasse wrote on Twitter.
The university’s Board of Trustees will interview Sasse on Nov. 1. If the board approves his nomination, he will also have to be confirmed by the Florida Board of Governors.
If Sasse becomes university president, he will have to resign from the Senate and Nebraska’s governor will appoint a replacement.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.