Tom Osborne Unendorses Board of Regents Candidate Ahead of Tuesday’s Election

by John Gage

(Picture credit University of Nebraska)

Former Nebraska Husker football coach Tom Osborne pulled his endorsement from University of Nebraska Board of Regents candidate Brent Comstock ahead of Tuesday’s general election.

The Nebraska Republican Party sent a mailer on Monday declaring Osborne, who had previously endorsed Comstock, had removed his endorsement. “Honesty, Integrity, and Character Matter,” the mailer stated. “When you mislead Nebraskans, you are not fit to lead. Dr. Osborne joins a growing list of state and community leaders who have rescinded or declined to endorse Brett Comstock.”

Reached Monday by phone, Osborne confirmed to The Plains Sentinel that he had rescinded his initial endorsement. “Yes, I think I’ve decided to stay somewhat neutral in the whole thing,” Osborne said.

The former coach and congressman had previously been listed on Comstock’s campaign page as one of the many current and former Nebraska officials who have endorsed his run for regent in District 1 against Dr. Jeremy Hosein.

A source with knowledge of Osborne’s decision to unendorse Comstock said the former coach had been “misled” by Comstock, who had pitched himself as nonpartisan. Later, when Osborne was informed of Comstock’s work in helping Democratic candidates and causes in Nebraska and nationwide, Osborne decided to rescind his support.

Osborne, a registered Republican, has occasionally chosen to publicly endorse GOP candidates in Nebraska. Comstock did not immediately respond for a request for comment.

Comstock has made his nonpartisan status a key part of his regent’s race. In an interview with the Nebraska Examiner earlier this year, Comstock said he was running to “preserve” the legacy of his Republican predecessor, Tim Clare.

Campaign filings reveal that Comstock’s business, BCom Solutions LLC, has brought in millions of dollars from Democratic campaigns across the country. His opponent has also highlighted that Comstock held several formal positions within the Nebraska Democratic Party over the years including as recently as 2020.

In a statement to The Plains Sentinel, Nebraska Republican Party Chair Mary Jane Truemper praised Osborne for withdrawing his support of Comstock.

“Few Nebraskans have given more to this university than Coach Osborne, and his decision to withdraw his support from Brent Comstock tells voters everything they need to know. Comstock calls himself nonpartisan, but his firm works mostly for Democrats, and his endorsement list shows it. The University of Nebraska belongs to every Nebraskan and deserves a regent voters can trust. We thank Coach Osborne for his integrity and for continuing to stand up for the university he helped build.”

— John Gage is the executive editor of The Plains Sentinel.