LOS ANGELES — Both Gov. Pete Ricketts and the Republican leader in the U.S. Congress called Friday for U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry to resign, following his conviction for lying to federal investigators and trying to conceal illegal campaign donations.

“I hope Jeff Fortenberry will do the right thing and resign so his constituents have that certainty while he focuses on his family and other affairs,” Ricketts told the Nebraska Examiner in a statement Friday morning.

“I think when someone is convicted, it’s time to resign,” U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the Republican leader in the House told Punchbowl News.

A jury of eight women and four men in California took just over two hours to render guilty verdicts on three felony charges faced by the 61-year-old Republican. 

The congressman, who has represented Nebraska’s 1st congressional district since 2005, faces up to five years in prison on each of the counts. 

U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld set June 28 for sentencing.

A Fortenberry campaign spokesman said that a statement will be forthcoming from the congressman, who said Thursday evening after the verdicts that he planned to appeal.

State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 1st District, said Fortenberry’s conviction was a “wake-up call” and a “sad day” for the state. But she called for new leadership, not Fortenberry’s resignation Friday morning.

“It is clear that his ability to effectively represent the citizens of this congressional district has been irreparably damaged,” Pansing Brooks said.

What happens if Fortenberry resigns was not immediately clear. Congressional representatives cannot be appointed to fill a vacancy, that requires a special election.

State Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk has challenged Fortenberry for the GOP nomination in the spring primary on May 10.

Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Cate Folsom for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Follow Nebraska Examiner on Facebook and Twitter.

Mike Flood is the founder and an owner of Flood Communications and News Channel Nebraska. All stories about him and any declared candidates in the Nebraska First Congressional District race during the remainder of his campaign and/or ensuing tenure in office have been and will be written by outside media outlets.