Pete Ricketts speaks at a news conference with Mike Foley to his left
Republican candidate for governor Pete Ricketts says he’s pleased the Secretary of State has allowed him to remove Lavon Heidemann from the November ballot and add Mike Foley.
Ricketts requested the change after Heidemann withdrew from the race. Ricketts replaced Heidemann with Foley, the state auditor.
Ricketts says, ultimately, it doesn’t matter much.
“I’m the one who’s still at the front of the ticket here. My name’s still going to be on the ballot,” Ricketts tells Nebraska Radio Network affiliate WNAX. “We’re fortunate to get a good ruling from (the) Secretary of State about getting Mike on the ballot as well so voters would know who they’re actually voting for in November.”
Secretary of State John Gale ruled Ricketts had a constitutional right to change the name of his running mate on the ballot even though the September first deadline has passed. Democrat Chuck Hassebrook has stated he will not challenge the decision in court.
Heidemann withdrew from the ticket and resigned as lieutenant governor after his sister received a protection order against him in wake of a family dispute of their father’s restate and their mother’s medical care.
Ricketts doesn’t believe the switch will make much difference in November.
He says few have brought up the issue as he and Foley campaign at Husker Harvest Days near Grand Island.
“At the end of the day, voters were concerned about what are you going to do for them, their families, their communities and that’s what this campaign has been about from the beginning.”
Jerry Oster, WNAX, contributed to this article.