Former Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse Diagnosed with Terminal Pancreatic Cancer
Ben Sasse, former Nebraska senator from 2015 to 2023, has disclosed on December 23, 2025, that he has been diagnosed with metastatic stage-four pancreatic cancer. In a post on X, Sasse revealed that the cancer is terminal and that he expects to die from the illness.
Sasse, aged 53, is known for voting to impeach Donald Trump in 2021 as one of seven Republicans, although the Senate impeachment vote did not reach the necessary two-thirds majority for conviction. Born in Nebraska, Sasse's education includes degrees from Harvard, Oxford, and a PhD in history from Yale.
In his farewell Senate speech, he criticized the extremes on both the political left and right, warning against demagoguery while emphasizing conservative principles. He is married with three children and referenced the Advent season as a time for hope amid his announcement.
Pancreatic cancer is a severe illness with about 67,000 Americans diagnosed annually and around 51,000 deaths each year. Sasse's disclosure has drawn attention within the US political landscape given his prior public service and stance.
