LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — With the election over, Nebraska Gov.-elect Pete Ricketts is preparing to make the transition to office.
Ricketts met with outgoing Gov. Dave Heineman on Thursday to talk about the state budget process, personnel issues and other matters related to the office’s day-to-day operations.
Ricketts says he has called newly elected senators to congratulate them after Tuesday’s election, and expects to make staffing announcements soon. Heineman, the state’s longest-serving governor, says he’s confident that Ricketts will hit the ground running.
Heineman and Ricketts say they haven’t yet discussed who will appoint a senator to replace Charlie Janssen, of Fremont. Janssen was elected state auditor on Tuesday and will have to resign from his legislative seat.
Ricketts will be sworn in as Nebraska’s 40th governor on Jan. 8.