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Senator Ben Sasse to Keynote Governor's Summit in September

Register for the 2026 Governor's Summit at govsummit.nebraska.gov.

LINCOLN, NE - Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced that Ben Sasse, who served Nebraska as a U.S. senator from 2015-2023, will headline the 2026 Governor's Summit on September 29, 2026 in Kearney.

"Ben Sasse is a model of courage in the face of adversity," said Gov. Pillen. "He has served our state admirably, and he has inspired millions of people through his faith and grit. I'm incredibly grateful for his willingness to keynote this year's Summit."

"I love Nebraska-this incredible state and these big-hearted neighbors mean the world to me and my family," said Ben Sasse. "I'm grateful for Governor Pillen's invitation and eager to spend some time with the next generation of Nebraska leaders."

A Nebraska native, Senator Sasse is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where his work focuses on higher education, innovation, technology, American history and culture, and national security. Before joining AEI, he was the president of the University of Florida, a U.S. senator, the president of Midland University, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and an assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He also spent more than a decade advising corporate leadership teams on strategic issues.

Sen. Sasse is the author of national bestselling books Them: Why We Hate Each Other-and How to Heal (2018) and The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis-and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance (2017). He holds a PhD and two master's degrees from Yale University; a master's degree from St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland; and a bachelor's degree from Harvard University.

The 2026 Governor's Summit officially kicks off on Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, with a statewide 6 Regions, One Nebraska update. On Monday evening, the Nebraska Diplomats will host a reception and awards banquet.

Tuesday, Sept. 29, is the primary day of the Governor's Summit. It features remarks from Gov. Pillen, a morning keynote from Ben Sasse, a full slate of breakout sessions, and the second annual Governor's Youth Summit.

Register for the Diplomats Banquet and Governor's Summit. Are you a student? Students sign up for the Youth Summit.