OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Chuck Hassebrook, Democrats’ newly minted candidate for U.S. Senate, is taking an extended leave of absence from his job as executive director of the Center for Rural Affairs as he runs his campaign.
The center is a grassroots nonprofit that advocates for rural communities, and Hassebrook has served as its director for nearly 35 years. On Monday, the center’s board granted Hassebrook a 10-month leave to run for public office. The board named its assistant director, Brian Depew, as acting executive director.
Asked why he was taking the leave, Hassebrook said running for Senate “is a full time job. I am all in.”
Hassebrook is seeking the seat currently held by Democrat Ben Nelson, who is not seeking a third term.