LINCOLN, Neb. -- A day after surprise reports that Sen. Ben Sasse would be leaving his post to become president at the University of Florida, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts addressed speculation surrounding the position.

“The first I learned about Senator Sasse’s plan to resign from the United States Senate was yesterday, when he called to notify me," Ricketts said in an emailed statement. "If I choose to pursue the appointment, I will leave the appointment decision to the next governor and will follow the process established for all interested candidates. It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as the governor of Nebraska. It is the greatest job in the world, and it will remain my number one focus for the remainder of my term.”

Sasse is the sole finalist to become president of the University of Florida, the school said Thursday, and the Republican senator indicated he will take the job. That means he would be likely to resign in coming weeks.

The school said in a statement that its presidential search committee had unanimously recommended Sasse as the sole finalist, a decision that will have to be be voted on by the school’s board of trustees and then confirmed by the board of governors. He is to visit the campus on Monday to meet with students, faculty and other members of the university community, the school said. 

In a statement released by the school, Sasse said he was “thrilled about the opportunity to work alongside one of the nation’s most outstanding faculties.”

Sasse was president of Midland University, a Christian school in Fremont, before he ran for the Senate. 

In a separate tweet, Sasse said he had been pursued by other universities but “this time is different because the University of Florida is very different.” 

“If UF wants to go big, I’m excited about the wide range of opportunities,” he said. 

If Sasse resigns, Nebraska’s governor will appoint someone to fill his seat for the next two years. That person would then have to run for the office in 2024, according to state election experts.

If the resignation takes effect before Jan. 3, Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts will name Sasse’s replacement. After Jan. 3, Ricketts’ successor would appoint the new senator. Nebraska’s other senator, Deb Fischer, is up for re-election in 2024, so Nebraska would have two Senate seats to vote on that year.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen sent out an email Thursday afternoon, noting that "it appears that Section 32-565(3) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes would apply to the filling of the vacancy." 

“Within 45 days of a vacancy arising, the Governor would appoint a qualified Nebraskan to fill the vacancy. That person would serve until January 2025. An election would be held in 2024 to fill the seat for the remaining two years of the term. The person appointed by the Governor to fill the seat would be eligible to run at that time. 

“An election for the regular six-year term of the seat would be held in 2026.”

Upon first learning of Senator Sasse’s plans to resign Thursday, Ricketts issued the following statement:

“I appreciate Senator Sasse‘s service to our state and nation.  He would make an excellent President for the University of Florida.  He has one of the most conservative voting records in the Senate, and we need more conservative voices in our universities.  Senator Sasse is also incredibly smart and has the experience and a clear passion for higher education.  I wish him luck as the University of Florida makes their consideration.”