Charles Herbster
Charles Herbster | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles W. Herbster Falls City, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
Charles W. Herbster is an American agribusiness executive, cattle producer, political donor, and politician. He was an agriculture advisor and chairman of Donald Trump's agriculture and rural advisory committee during the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign. Herbster was a Republican candidate in the 2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election and is running again in 2022. Herbster is a Republican candidate for Nebraska governor in 2022, to replace Governor Pete Ricketts, who is term-limited.
Early life and education
Herbster was born in Falls City, Nebraska, and graduated from Falls City High School. He attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for two years, but dropped out and returned home after the death of his mother.[1]
Career
Herbster is a cattle producer and owns Herbster Angus Farms in Falls City.[2] He also owns Conklin Co., a Kansas City, Missouri-based manufacturing company, which is structured as a multi-level marketing (MLM) business.[3][4] In 2015, Herbster bought North American Breeders in Berryville, Virginia.[5]
Political involvement
Herbster donated $500 to the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2004 and $2,300 to a Republican candidate in the 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana.[6] In 2012, Herbster donated $91,600 to a PAC supporting the Mitt Romney 2012 presidential campaign, $10,000 towards the Nebraska Republican Party, and $2,500 for Deb Fischer's campaign.[6] From 2013 to 2015, Herbster contributed nearly $100,000 towards the Republican National Committee and $10,000 to Robert Aderholt. In 2014, Herbster created the Republican-leaning Ag American super-PAC and contributed $100,000 between 2014 and 2015.[6]
Herbster met Donald Trump in 2013 at Mar-a-Lago.[6]
For six weeks, Herbster was a candidate in 2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election.[3][6] He withdrew from the race after concerns were raised about his Nebraska residency.[7][8] He later invested $2.7 million into then-Nebraska state senator Beau McCoy's campaign.[3][9][10] Herbster also hinted to the Omaha World-Herald that he funded dark money ads promoting McCoy and attacking other candidates.[11] McCoy placed third in the Republican primary.[12]
In 2017, the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska and 13 other trade groups requested that U.S. president Donald Trump select Herbster as the United States deputy secretary of agriculture.[13] In 2019, Herbster served as the chairman of Trump's agriculture and rural advisory committee.[2] He served as an agricultural adviser in the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign.[14]
On January 5, 2021, Herbster participated in a meeting at Trump International Hotel with Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, Tommy Tuberville, Michael Flynn, Peter Navarro, Corey Lewandowski, David Bossie, Rudy Giuliani, and Adam Piper. Txtwire CEO Daniel Beck stated he also attended the meeting, along with Mike Lindell.[15][16] The group discussed how to pressure more members of Congress to object to the Electoral College results that made Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 election.[17][18] Herbster also attended Trump's speech on January 6, 2021, and left the area before the United States Capitol attack.[14]
2022 gubernatorial election
In November 2020, Herbster established a campaign committee in preparation for a second gubernatorial race. He selected Omaha City Councilwoman, Aimee Melton as his campaign treasurer.[19] On April 26, 2021, Herbster declared his candidacy in the 2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election. Until September 2021, Corey Lewandowski served as a senior advisor before he was let go amid sexual harassment allegations.[14] In October 2021, Herbster was endorsed by Donald Trump.[14] Incumbent governor Pete Ricketts denounced the endorsement.[20] In 2021, Herbster called Ben Sasse a "Looney Tune Senator."[14] Herbster is opposed to the estate tax in the United States. His opposition to critical race theory is a central part of his gubernatorial campaign.[21]
KMTV reported in June 2021 that Herbster had almost 600 late property tax payments on his various properties in Colorado, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska. and Virginia. Herbster responded the funds were used for payroll; however, he gave personal donations totaling millions to political campaigns during this same time period.[22]
Donald Trump endorsed Herbster in late 2021. Herbster has vacillated between supporting the "Big Lie" that Trump won the election and stating Joe Biden is the "duly elected" President of the United States.[23][24]
In April 2022, the Nebraska Examiner published a story stating that Nebraska state senator Julie Slama and seven other women accused Herbster of groping or forcibly kissing them. The allegations were supported by witnesses. He refutes the allegations.[25][26]
Personal life
Herbster is a conservative evangelical Christian.[6] He bought a one-year-old Angus bull for $2.14 million at a North Dakota auction. Herbster also bought another Bull for $1.5 million in a different auction.[5]
References
- ^ "Owner Biography". www.conklin.com. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Honan, Kim (February 11, 2019). "Trump advisory chairman buys bull named America for record $2.1m". ABC News. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c Tysver, Robynn (September 13, 2013). "Governor's race dropout Herbster donates $860,000 in campaign assets to Beau McCoy". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ Philpott, Tom. "Trump's ag czar runs his business like Herbalife". Mother Jones. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ a b Salter, Peter (February 24, 2019). "Bull Market: Nebraska rancher pays record $1.5M for 'freak'". Lincoln Journal Star. pp. A1. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Kullgren, Ian (July 27, 2016). "Trump's top ag adviser: A kingmaker from the plains". POLITICO. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ "A tale of two houses: Does candidate for NE governor actually live in the state? « Watchdog.org". October 25, 2014. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ Walton, Don. "Sen. Beau McCoy enters GOP governor race". JournalStar.com. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ Walton, Don (August 24, 2013). "McCoy enters GOP race for governor". Lincoln Journal Star. pp. A1. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ Bureau, Paul Hammel / World-Herald. "Businessman who donated about $2.7M to Beau McCoy's 2014 gubernatorial bid is now his new boss". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Tysver, Robynn. "Outsiders behind negative TV ads in Nebraska governor's race". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ "Nebraska Secretary of State - Election Night Results - May 15th, 2018". August 4, 2018. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ Bergin, Nicholas (March 13, 2017). "Cattle associations back Nebraska businessman for deputy ag secretary". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Gentzler, Sara (October 29, 2021). "After Ricketts rejection, Herbster touts loyalty to Trump". Fremont Tribune. pp. A4. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ Daniel Beck - Trump Hotel!, retrieved April 16, 2022
- ^ Sanderford, Aaron (February 25, 2022). "Herbster was schmoozing with Trump team Jan. 5-6 as they detailed plans to overturn election". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ Sanderford, Aaron (January 6, 2021). "Charles Herbster, who may run for Nebraska governor, was at Trump rally before Capitol violence". Omaha World-Herald.
- ^ Herbster, Charles W. (January 5, 2021). "Herbster, Charles W." Facebook. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ Walton, Don (November 12, 2020). "Charles Herbster prepares 2022 gubernatorial bid". The Columbus Telegram. pp. B6. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ Gaarder, Nancy (October 28, 2021). "Trump endorses Herbster for governor". Beatrice Daily Sun. pp. A1. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ Dunker, Chris (July 16, 2021). "NU faculty say resolution violates policy". Fremont Tribune. pp. A4. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ "Nebraska's Charles Herbster paid property taxes late nearly 600 times". KMTV. June 3, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ Writer, Sara Gentzler World-Herald Staff. "The top four Republican candidates for Nebraska governor agree: Biden is president". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ "Charles Herbster announces run for Nebraska governor". KMTV. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
- ^ Sanderford, Aaron (April 14, 2022). "GOP state senator, seven other women say Charles Herbster groped them; he denies allegations". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
- ^ Paybarah, Azi (April 14, 2022). "Nebraska State Senator Says Candidate for Governor Groped Her". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
