Republican Nebraska gubernatorial candidate and CEO Charles Herbster claims his opponents are behind accusations that he committed sexual assault against eight women.
The Nebraska Examiner first reported the allegations, which cites one GOP state senator and seven women (who prefer to keep their names private) who told the outlet that Herbster touched them inappropriately and without their consent.
Sen. Julie Slama confirmed to the Examiner that in 2019, in the middle of a crowded event, Herbster walked by her and put his hand up her skirt. Slama also has a witness who confirmed the act to the Examiner. That witness, along with two others, added that at the same event they saw Herbster touch another woman on the buttocks.
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In a statement to Omaha’s KETV-7, Slama said:
“I indirectly referenced the assault in a February 2022 floor speech in the Legislature and prayed I would never have to relive this trauma. When the Nebraska Examiner contacted me about a witness account of my assault and the seven other women who shared their stories, I was not going to deny the truth. … I am not seeking media attention or any other gain, I simply was not going to lie and say it did not occur. I would request my family’s privacy be respected at this difficult time.”
Herbster has been accused of groping the women during political events or at beauty pageants, dating back from 2017 to this year. Sound familiar?
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Herbster’s campaign manager Ellen Keast challenged al of the claims in a public statement released Wednesday, saying, “this is a political hit-piece built on 100% false and baseless claims.”
Keast added:
“Charles W. Herbster has a lifetime record of empowering women to lead … His company, farm, and campaign are all run by women. Despite leading hundreds of employees, not once has his reputation been attacked in this disgusting manner.”
KETV-7 reports that Herbster’s campaign has called the claims "libelous" and "100% false."
"For over thirty years, I've employed hundreds of people. I've respected and empowered women to run my company, my farm, and now my campaign," Herbster said. "Not once has my integrity EVER been challenged in this manner. It's only after I've threatened the stranglehold the establishment has on this state do they stoop to lies this large. This story is a ridiculous, unfounded dirty political trick being carried out by Pete Ricketts and Jim Pillen."
Two of the women told the Examiner they are hoping to simply move on from the incidents, while three others said they are no longer involved with politics as a result of Herbster’s groping. Two women told the outlet they are now in therapy, and one reports she carries a gun for protection.
Theresa Thibodeau, Herbster’s former running mate and now a candidate running against him, told the Examiner she had never witnessed him grope anyone and had only just learned of the allegations.
However, Thibodeau told the Examiner that after she left his campaign she was disturbed by the fact that Herbster continued to work with former Trump campaign manager and aide Corey Lewandowski, even after it was reported in September 2021 that Lewandowski made lewd and unwelcome advances to a GOP donor at a Las Vegas fundraiser.
Thibodeau told the Examiner that Herbster issued a statement saying he’d asked Lewandowski to “step back,” but campaign staffers confirmed to the outlet that Lewandowski continues to work with Herbster.
