LINCOLN- On Wednesday, after several weeks of anticipation, Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Fred Meyer from among 16 applicants to serve in the Legislative District 41 seat, which was previously held by Nebraska's new State Treasurer Tom Briese. Meyer, a resident of Saint Paul, Nebraska, will fill the final 13 months of Briese's final term, and will not seek reelection.

Former Gov. Mike Johanns appointed Meyer to the State Board of Education in 1999, where he served until 2010, spending several of those as vice president and president of the Board. "I'm just really excited, and I have a lot to learn," said Meyer of the appointment, just before taking the oath of office, "I have a good team to work with, with the governor's staff, and I'm ready to get started."

Secretary of State Bob Evnen, with whom Meyer served on the Board of Education, said Meyer's work as president demonstrated great leadership, and swore in the new senator. Following his swearing-in, and when asked by a reporter about the controversial Sport and Spaces Act expected to be brought into the spotlight during the next legislative session, Meyer said he wanted to focus on the lack of certified teachers in Nebraska, saying that this is the biggest issue plaguing the state.

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