LINCOLN- Kathy Wilmot, a former member of the State Board of Education and endorsee of several conservative politicians and organizations, is set to replace Regent Bob Phares of North Platte on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

Facing off against outgoing state Sen. Matt Williams, Wilmot won every county in District 7, beating Williams by around 10 percentage points.

Although the Board of Regents race, like the Nebraska Legislature, is officially nonpartisan, Wilmot won the backing of Gov. Pete Ricketts, who donated $20,000 to her campaign. Ricketts also contributed money to a PAC that ran attack ads against Wilmot's opponent, Matt Williams.

Wilmot also received an endorsement from the Nebraska GOP, as well as support from the Protect Nebraska Children PAC, a conservative organization that spent around $38,000 to elect candidates in state and local school board races.

Last week, the Southern Poverty Law Center released a report alleging that Protect Nebraska Children had ties in 201 with anti-LGBTQ group Family Watch International.

Sen. John Stinner, a friend of Sen. Matt Williams, criticized Gov. Ricketts and other political figures for supporting attacks on Williams, calling them "cowardly attempts to sway voters in the worst way possible."

Besides Wilmot, Regent Paul Kenney won a second term on the Board of Regents. Kenney, a farmer and chairman of Kaapa Ethanol LLC, received around $10,000 in contributions from Gov. Ricketts. Governor-elect and Regent Jim Pillen also donated $10,000 to Kenney's campaign.

Regents are tasked with setting NU's budget, approving programs and projects, and hiring the university president. Their first meeting of 2023 is slated for February 10th, 2022.

For the full article click HERE