LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - Tea party favorite and Midland University President Ben Sasse dominated a crowded field of Republicans Tuesday, capturing the Republican nomination to run for the U.S. Senate
The unofficial count shows Sasse, a former Bush administration official, with 109,810 votes for 49.36 percent of the total vote, according to the office of the Nebraska Secretary of State.
Following the victory, Sasse tweeted that he was, "Honored to be the nominee for US Senate."
In all, five Republicans contended for nomination: Sid Dinsdale (22 percent), Clifton Johnson (one percent), Bart McLeay, five percent) and Shane Osborn (21 percent).
For the Democratic nomination, trial lawyer Dave Domina landed 44,811 votes for 67.47 percent, handily beating Larry Marvin.
Throughout the primary, Sasse received endorsements from iconic conservatives and tea party leaders.
In March, Sarah Palin endorsed Sasse, making the announcement on her Facebook page.
"Ben knows how dysfunctional D.C. is," Palin said in her endorsement. "He's witnessed firsthand the corrosive effect bad big government policies can have, and he knows that Obamacare is as bad as it gets."
More recently, on April 23 Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, endorsed Sasse, calling him a leader who will fight to stop President Barack Obama's agenda.
Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com
Sasse captures GOP nomination in Nebraska U.S. Senate primary
