Herbster slowly fires back at Ricketts

It’s taken a day, but GOP Statehouse hopeful Charles Herbster is firing back at Gov. Pete Ricketts.

After Ricketts said Herbster would be a “terrible governor” NCN—during a news conference Herbster called to announce his endorsement by Lt. Gov. Mike Foley—asked Herbster if he would answer a few questions. He said nothing and walked away.

Today Herbster’s campaign issued a statement noting that Ricketts has made the race, “A one-way personal vendetta against Herbster.”

The statement goes on to say that Ricketts, “Is questioning the judgment of President Donald J. Trump, who has endorsed Herbster.”

Ricketts—who is backing NU Regent Jim Pillen in the May primary—has not been available for an immediate comment but has had more than his share of criticism for Herbster during the past year. 

Take this exchange with NCN in mid-2021:

NCN’s Joe Jordan: Governor, Mr. Herbster wants your job when you leave office. Are you going to do what you can to make sure he doesn't get it?

Gov. Ricketts: Well, I've spent my administration working to grow Nebraska by bringing companies here. And Charles Herbster has headquarters for his main company in Missouri. I think that makes it tough to tell the citizens of Nebraska that you're going to be able to create jobs in our state when he's put his headquarters in another state.

Herbster’s statement adds that Nebraskans would like Ricketts to do his job and stay out of the governor’s race.

Meanwhile, Ricketts continues to tout Pillen’s candidacy, even appearing front and center in at least one Pillen TV ad.