GAINESVILLE- After the University of Florida's board of trustees voted unanimously to recommend U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse for the role of president, the decision will now go to the University's board of governors.

In the meantime, Sasse sat down for several interviews to address the concerns surrounding his appointment. Two trustees told the Senator that he would have to "climb a hill of trust" after both students and staff voiced concerns about his stances on sexual orientation. However, the University's board of trustees said they believe Sasse to be a transformative leader who can lead the school through the "disruptions of technology and politics."

Sasse told the trustees that he would pledge to take a period of "political celibacy," stating that he will not remain active in partisan politics. "I would have no activity in partisan politics in any way as I arrive to the University of Florida," said Sasse, "I wouldn't speak at political events, I wouldn't make political contributions, partisan political contributions. I wouldn't surrogate or assist any candidates."

Sasse also stated that he looks forward to meeting the LGBTQ, Chinese, and Chinese-American students at staff at the University.The board of trustees also unanimously agreed that Sasse should make no more than $1.6 million per year.

Following Sasse's approval, for the first time publicly, Gov. Pete Ricketts expressed interest in being appointed by the next governor to the soon-to-be-vacated Senate seat held by Ben Sasse. Ricketts told Politico reporter Jordain Carney that the Senate is "still very relevant and important," and acknowledged that a move from the Governor's office to the U.S. Capitol would require a "mind frame shift."

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan likes the idea of a Ricketts Senate appointment. "I don't know who else would be more qualified," she said, "I'd support him.

Linehan went on to state that governors have almost all of the experience necessary for a successful Senate career. However, as reported earlier, Ricketts reaffirmed that he would not appoint himself to the Senate. Instead, he said he'd let the next governor make that decision.

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