In the midst of re-election campaigns, two University of Nebraska regents are spending big on ads opposing a state ballot measure to protect abortion access, The Lincoln Journal Star reported.
Regents Rob Schafer and Jim Scheer, both Republicans, donated money for commercials reportedly produced by the Nebraska Family Alliance, a group that opposes abortion rights. The commercials, which aired in mid-October, ended with the disclaimer “Paid for by Schafer for Board of Regents.” A later round of related antiabortion commercials was attributed to Scheer’s campaign.
The commercials landed weeks before voters are set to decide on two abortion-related ballot measures, one of which will protect access to the procedure—which Schafer and Scheer oppose—while the other will restrict it.
It is unclear how much the two regents spent on the advertisements, though the newspaper noted that Scheer—a former state lawmaker who is running unopposed—recently received a contribution of more than $1.5 million and has spent more than $900,000 on TV advertisements.
Neither regent provided comment to The Lincoln Journal Star. But former regent Chuck Hassebrook, who served on the university’s governing board from 1995 until 2012, said it was unprecedented for members to use their campaigns to engage in broader culture war issues.
Nebraska is one of a few states that elect university boards. Current governor Jim Pillen, a Republican, served as a regent from 2013 until resigning in early 2023 after he won the gubernatorial election.
