Midland U. President Wins Republican Senate Nomination in Nebraska

Benjamin E. Sasse, president of Midland University, handily won the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Nebraska on Tuesday in a primary election that had gained national attention as a potential test of Tea Party strength, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.

Mr. Sasse, who is 42, describes himself as a constitutional conservative who wants to move power from Washington to individuals and to the states. His campaign attracted support from national groups like Citizens United and the Tea Party Express, as well as endorsements from prominent conservatives like U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, and Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor.

At Midland, Mr. Sasse has helped pull the institution back from the prospect of bankruptcy and achieve record enrollment growth.

In the general election this fall, he and the Democratic nominee, Dave Domina, will vie for the seat being vacated by Sen. Mike Johanns, a Republican who is retiring after one term.