Washington, United States — Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse
announced he has stage-four pancreatic cancer, saying he will pursue treatment
despite the terminal diagnosis.
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse,
who represented Nebraska in Congress from 2015 to 2023 and later served as
president of the University of Florida, announced on Tuesday that he has been
diagnosed with metastatic stage-four pancreatic cancer, a condition widely
regarded by physicians as terminal. Sasse, 53, disclosed the diagnosis in a
post on the social media platform X.
“This is a tough note to write, but I’ll cut to the chase,”
Sasse wrote, adding that doctors confirmed the diagnosis last week. He said he
intends to pursue available medical treatments and remain active for as long as
possible. “I’m not going down without a fight,” he stated, while also
acknowledging the seriousness of the illness.
Political career and public profile
Sasse was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014 and took office in January 2015. During his two terms, he became known nationally as a conservative lawmaker willing to break with his party’s leadership, particularly during the presidency of Donald Trump.
In 2021, Sasse was one of seven Republican senators who voted
to convict Trump during the second impeachment trial, which charged the former
president with inciting an insurrection following the January 6 attack on the
United States Capitol. In Trump’s first impeachment trial a year earlier, Sasse
voted with most Republicans to acquit.
Throughout his Senate tenure, Sasse served on several
committees and was recognized for his focus on constitutional issues, national
security and higher education policy. His willingness to criticize leaders
within his own party set him apart from many of his Republican colleagues
during a highly polarized period in U.S. politics.
Academic background and leadership roles
Before entering politics, Sasse built a career in academia
and public policy. He holds degrees from Harvard College and St. John’s
College, as well as a doctorate from Yale University. In February 2023, he left
the Senate to become president of the University of Florida, one of the largest
public universities in the United States.
Sasse stepped down from that position in 2024, citing family
reasons after his wife, Melissa Sasse, was diagnosed with epilepsy. Since then,
he has largely withdrawn from public life, making Tuesday’s announcement his
most significant public statement in more than a year.
Health context and public message
In his statement, Sasse reflected on the distinction between
death and the process of dying, emphasizing advances in medical science,
including immunotherapy. He framed his diagnosis in personal and religious
terms, describing faith as a central source of strength as he confronts the
illness.
Pancreatic cancer is among the most aggressive forms of
cancer, and it is often detected only after it has spread to other organs.
According to U.S. health authorities, late-stage diagnoses significantly limit
treatment options, and survival rates remain low compared with many other
cancers.
What comes next
Sasse has not released details about the specific treatments
he plans to undergo, nor has he indicated whether he will reengage in public
speaking or academic work. People familiar with his situation said he plans to
provide updates directly through social media rather than formal press
statements.
Political leaders from both parties are expected to issue
public messages in response to the announcement in the coming days, though no
official statements had been released at the time of publication.
Key facts
- The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer in the U.S. is about 12% — National Cancer Institute (2024).
- Ben Sasse served as U.S. senator from Nebraska from 2015 to 2023 — U.S. Senate official records.
- He voted to convict Donald Trump in the second impeachment trial in 2021 — Senate roll call vote (February 2021).
Credits
Author:
Lucas Méndez
Editor-in-chief:
María Quesada
Photo:
Reuters / Michael Reynolds (editorial license)