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'{{Short description|American agribusiness executive and politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Charles Herbster |image = Charles Herbster.jpg |caption = Herbster in 2022 |birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|67|2022|4|19}} |birth_place = [[Falls City, Nebraska]], U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |spouse = {{plainlist| *{{marriage |Lorienne Gayle Smith |1975 |1980 |end=div}} *{{marriage |Judith Ann Wagg, |1982 |May 2, 2017 |end=d.}} }} |party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] |education = [[University of Nebraska–Lincoln]] (not completed) }} '''Charles W. Herbster''' (born 1954 or 1955)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/19/2022-elections-trump-to-rally-with-nebraska-candidate-charles-herbster-following-accusations-of-groping.html |title=Trump Announces Rally with Nebraska Gubernatorial Candidate Accused of Groping GOP State Senator, Other Women |publisher=[[CNBC]] |date=April 19, 2022 |accessdate=April 28, 2022 |first=Kevin |last=Breuninger}}</ref> 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|Trump's 2020 presidential campaign]]. Herbster also ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for [[Governor of Nebraska]] in [[2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election#Republican primary|2014]] and [[2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election#Republican primary|2022]]. == Early life and education == Charles Wesley Herbster was born in [[Falls City, Nebraska]], in 1954 as the only child of Donald Eugene Herbster and Dorothy M. Herbster (nee Carico).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://fcjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/images/eedition/2-14-2012e-edition.pdf |title=Obituaries: Donald Eugene Herbster |newspaper=[[Falls City Journal]] |date=February 14, 2012 |page=10 |quote=The couple lived in town until after their only child, Charles Wesley Herbster, was born in 1954.}}</ref> Herbster 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Owner Biography |url=https://www.conklin.com/owner-bio |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Conklin Company}}</ref> == Career == === Agriculture === Herbster is a cattle producer and owns Herbster Angus Farms in Falls City.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Honan |first=Kim |date=February 11, 2019 |title=Trump advisory chairman buys bull named America for record $2.1m |language=en-AU |work=[[ABC News (Australia)]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-02-11/angus-bull-sells-for-record-price-of-2-million/10800152 |access-date=April 15, 2022}}</ref> Herbster's farm in Falls City began as a homestead in 1847 owned by William McKendry Maddox, Herbster's great-great-grandfather. The ranch passed through Maddox's granddaughter, Leta Meyers Carico, who was Herbster's maternal grandmother and whom Herbster credits as his first teacher and mentor.<ref name="showtimes">{{cite magazine |title=Charles W. Herbster |magazine=The Showtimes Magazine |issue=57 |date=Nov-Dec 2017 |url=https://www.theshowtimesmagazine.com/halloffame/charles-w-herbster |pages=67–74}}</ref> Herbster stated his farming practice was inspired in part by champion grower, [[Francis Childs]], known for his heavy use of chemicals and [[deep plowing]] methods.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lend this guy an ear |newspaper=Journal Gazette (Mattoon, IL) |date=January 7, 2004 |pages=1, 6}} [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959071/lend-this-guy-an-ear-journal-gazette-m/ page 1][https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959111/lend-this-guy-an-ear-journal-gazette-m/ page 2]</ref> He also owns Conklin Co., a [[Kansas City, Missouri]]-based manufacturing company, which is structured as a [[Multi-level marketing|multi-level marketing (MLM)]] business,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Tysver |first=Robynn |date=September 13, 2013 |title=Governor's race dropout Herbster donates $860,000 in campaign assets to Beau McCoy |url=https://omaha.com/news/governors-race-dropout-herbster-donates-860-000-in-campaign-assets-to-beau-mccoy/article_0e7a8bda-ae8d-514c-b008-193eda404eb9.html |access-date=April 15, 2022 |newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Philpott |first=Tom |title=Trump's ag czar runs his business like Herbalife |url=https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/08/trumps-ag-czar-running-mlm/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |magazine=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |date=August 18, 2016}}</ref> which he purchased from [[Bob Conklin]] with his wife, Judith, in 1992.<ref name="JudithObit">{{cite web |title=Obituary for Judith Ann Herbster, 1955-2017 |newspaper=[[St. Joseph News-Press]] |date=May 8, 2017 |page=A6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86958909/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86964768/in-brief-star-tribune-minneapolis-mn/ |title=In brief |newspaper=[[Star Tribune]] |date=February 19, 1992 |page=33 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Conklin sells agricultural products including pesticide additives, farm fertilizers, probiotics for livestock, industrial roof coatings, and motor oils. Additional businesses Herbster owns are Herbster Angus Farms in Falls City, Nebraska, and the cattle breeding firm, North American Breeders in [[Berryville, Virginia]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ag groups pushing Herbster for post |newspaper=[[Lincoln Journal Star]] |date=March 14, 2017 |pages=A3, A5 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959727/ag-groups-pushing-herbster-for-post-lin/ page A3][https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959770/ag-groups-pushing-herbster-for-post-lin/ page A5]</ref> Herbster bought North American Breeders in 2015.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Salter |first=Peter |date=February 24, 2019 |title=Bull Market: Nebraska rancher pays record $1.5M for 'freak' |pages=A1 |newspaper=[[Lincoln Journal Star]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801089/bull-market-nebraska-rancher-pays/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> As a breeder, Herbster purchased multiple cows for over $100,000 and multiple bulls for over $600,000 from Schaff's Angus Valley. In February 2019, Herbster purchased the highest-priced bull in auction history, paying $1.5 million for a bull called SAV America (SAV stand for Schaff's Angus Valley), which would be used as breeding stock on Herbster's Virginia farm.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Salter |first=Peter |title=Freak of a bull sells for $1.5 million |newspaper=[[Elko Daily Free Press]] |date=February 26, 2016 |page=A2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86960373/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He later bought a one-year-old Angus bull for $2.14 million at a North Dakota auction.<ref name=":4" /> Livestock show magazine, The Showtimes, noted Herbster Angus Farms for the adherence of its cattle to [[Aberdeen Angus|Angus]] breed standards and along with high value breeders, Herster frequently purchases winning cattle at youth cattle shows as a way to support youth in the industry. This, along with Herbster's activity in high cost cattle breeding operations led to his being inducted into The Showtimes Magazine Hall of Fame in November 2017.<ref name="showtimes"/> === 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]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Kullgren |first=Ian |date=July 27, 2016 |title=Trump's top ag adviser: A kingmaker from the plains |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/trumps-top-ag-adviser-a-kingmaker-from-the-plains-226209 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":2" /> 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.<ref name=":2" /> Herbster met [[Donald Trump]] in 2013 at [[Mar-a-Lago]].<ref name=":2" /> For six weeks, Herbster was a candidate in [[2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> He withdrew from the race after concerns were raised about his Nebraska residency.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2013 |title=A tale of two houses: Does candidate for NE governor actually live in the state? |url=http://watchdog.org/101048/a-tale-of-two-houses-does-candidate-for-ne-governor-actually-live-in-that-state/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |work=Nebraska Watchdog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025153352/http://watchdog.org/101048/a-tale-of-two-houses-does-candidate-for-ne-governor-actually-live-in-that-state/ |archive-date=25 October 2014 |url-status=dead |first=Deena |last=Winter}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walton |first=Don |title=Sen. Beau McCoy enters GOP governor race |url=https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/sen-beau-mccoy-enters-gop-governor-race/article_b3be4d29-4396-502b-b4e4-82b4fba7aa1e.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |newspaper=[[Lincoln Journal Star]] |date=August 23, 2013}}</ref> He later invested $2.7 million into then-Nebraska state senator [[Beau McCoy]]'s campaign.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Walton |first=Don |date=August 24, 2013 |title=McCoy enters GOP race for governor |pages=A1 |newspaper=[[Lincoln Journal Star]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801853/mccoy-enters-gop-race-for-governor/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Paul |last=Hammel |title=Businessman who donated about $2.7M to Beau McCoy's 2014 gubernatorial bid is now his new boss |url=https://omaha.com/news/state_and_regional/businessman-who-donated-about-2-7m-to-beau-mccoy-s-2014-gubernatorial-bid-is-now/article_b31ddbb2-5b06-5dbc-8033-6f57beb2d9b1.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |date=Mar 19, 2015}}</ref> Herbster also hinted to the ''[[Omaha World-Herald]]'' that he funded [[dark money]] ads promoting McCoy and attacking other candidates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tysver |first=Robynn |title=Outsiders behind negative TV ads in Nebraska governor's race |url=https://omaha.com/news/outsiders-behind-negative-tv-ads-in-nebraska-governors-race/article_9728fc84-7ac6-5047-9ad8-f806eacb30f5.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |date=April 13, 2014}}</ref> McCoy placed third in the Republican primary.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-08-04 |title=Nebraska Secretary of State - Election Night Results - May 15th, 2018 |url=http://electionresults.sos.ne.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=SW&map=CTY |access-date=2022-04-16 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804014456/http://electionresults.sos.ne.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=SW&map=CTY |archive-date=4 August 2018 |url-status=dead}} {{dead link|date=May 2022|reason=Archived link appears dead}}</ref> Herbster was listed as a possible pick for [[U.S. Secretary of Agriculture]] in November, 2016, days after Trumps election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Heineman, Herbster pegged as possible cabinet picks |newspaper=[[Fremont Tribune]] |date=November 12, 2016 |page=A2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959575/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> [[Sonny Perdue]] was announced to that position in January 2017, after which 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|United States deputy secretary of agriculture]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Bergin |first=Nicholas |date=March 13, 2017 |title=Cattle associations back Nebraska businessman for deputy ag secretary |url=https://journalstar.com/business/agriculture/cattle-associations-back-nebraska-businessman-for-deputy-ag-secretary/article_edc3aec1-a4de-5d3c-9d45-e83a4513b56d.html |access-date=April 15, 2022 |newspaper=[[Lincoln Journal Star]]}}</ref> In 2019, Herbster served as the chairman of Trump's agriculture and rural advisory committee.<ref name=":0" /> He served as an agricultural adviser in the [[Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Gentzler |first=Sara |date=October 29, 2021 |title=After Ricketts rejection, Herbster touts loyalty to Trump |pages=A4 |newspaper=[[Fremont Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801401/after-ricketts-rejection-herbster/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> On January 5, 2021, Herbster participated in a meeting at Trump International Hotel with [[Donald Trump Jr.|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]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Daniel Beck - Trump Hotel! |url=https://www.facebook.com/danieljessbeck/videos/10158768293107432/ |language=en |access-date=2022-04-16 |date=January 5, 2021 |first=Daniel |last=Beck |work=[[Facebook]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanderford |first=Aaron |date=2022-02-25 |title=Herbster was schmoozing with Trump team Jan. 5-6 as they detailed plans to overturn election |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/25/herbster-was-schmoozing-with-trump-team-jan-5-6-as-they-detailed-plans-to-overturn-election/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=[[Nebraska Examiner]]}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sanderford |first=Aaron |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Charles Herbster, who may run for Nebraska governor, was at Trump rally before Capitol violence |pages= |work=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |url=https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/charles-herbster-who-may-run-for-nebraska-governor-was-at-trump-rally-before-capitol-violence/article_1127b77e-5081-11eb-9ff2-7bebb9126789.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Herbster |first=Charles W. |date=January 5, 2021 |title=Herbster, Charles W. |url=https://www.facebook.com/charles.w.herbster/posts/2939983049564437 |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Facebook}}</ref> Herbster also attended Trump's speech on January 6, 2021. Following the rally, he returned to the [[White House]] with Trump family members, and he flew to Florida with [[Donald Trump Jr.|Donald Trump Jr]]. and [[Kimberly Guilfoyle]] after the [[2021 United States Capitol attack]] began.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Aaron |last=Sanderford |date=2022-02-25 |title=Herbster was schmoozing with Trump team Jan. 5-6 as they detailed plans to overturn election |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/25/herbster-was-schmoozing-with-trump-team-jan-5-6-as-they-detailed-plans-to-overturn-election/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Nebraska Examiner |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> === 2022 gubernatorial election === {{main|2022 Nebraska gubernatorial election#Republican primary}} [[File:Charles Herbster campaigning with Donald Trump.jpg|thumb|right|Herbster campaigning with Donald Trump in May 2022]] 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walton |first=Don |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Charles Herbster prepares 2022 gubernatorial bid |pages=B6 |newspaper=[[Columbus Telegram]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801540/charles-herbster-prepares-2022/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":5" /> In 2021, Herbster called [[Ben Sasse]] a "[[Looney Tunes|Looney Tune]] Senator."<ref name=":5" /> Herbster is opposed to the [[estate tax in the United States]]. His opposition to [[critical race theory]] was a central part of his gubernatorial campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunker |first=Chris |date=July 16, 2021 |title=NU faculty say resolution violates policy |pages=A4 |newspaper=[[Fremont Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801476/nu-faculty-say-resolution-violates/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> [[KMTV-TV|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-03 |title=Nebraska's Charles Herbster paid property taxes late nearly 600 times |url=https://www.3newsnow.com/news/investigations/nebraskas-charles-herbster-paid-property-taxes-late-nearly-600-times |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=[[KMTV-TV]] |first1=Aaron |last1=Sanderford |first2=Aaron |last2=Hegarty}}</ref> Donald Trump endorsed Herbster in late 2021. Herbster has shifted between supporting the idea that Trump won the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 election]] and stating [[Joe Biden]] is the "duly elected" President.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Sara |last=Gentzler |title=The top four Republican candidates for Nebraska governor agree: Biden is president |url=https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/the-top-four-republican-candidates-for-nebraska-governor-agree-biden-is-president/article_be2bfe00-aa33-11ec-aa07-9bac59c6bcf1.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |newspaper=[[Omaha World-Herald]] |date=March 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-26 |title=Charles Herbster announces run for Nebraska governor |url=https://www.3newsnow.com/news/political/charles-herbster-announces-run-for-nebraska-governor |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=[[KMTV-TV]] |first=Aaron |last=Sanderford}}</ref> Incumbent governor [[Pete Ricketts]] denounced the endorsement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gaarder |first=Nancy |date=October 28, 2021 |title=Trump endorses Herbster for governor |pages=A1 |newspaper=Beatrice Daily Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801724/trump-endorses-herbster-for-governor/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Reid Epstein of the [[New York Times]] characterized the Trump endorsement as the "entire rationale" for the campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/us/politics/trump-endorsement-herbster-nebraska-midterms.html |title=In Nebraska, a Trump-Inspired Candidate Cracks Open Divide in the G.O.P. |newspaper=[[New York Times]] |first=Reid |last=Epstein |date=May 7, 2022}}</ref> In May 2022, Herbster lost the primary election, placing second behind businessman [[Jim Pillen]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-endorsed-nebraska-charles-herbster-fails-to-win-gop-primary-2022-5 |title=Trump-endorsed Nebraska gubernatorial candidate loses contentious primary amid groping allegations |first=Brent D. |last=Griffiths |date=May 10, 2022 |work=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/05/10/us/elections/results-nebraska-governor.html |title=Nebraska Governor Primary Election Results |date=May 13, 2022 |newspaper=[[New York Times]]}}</ref> == Sexual assault allegations == 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 denies the allegations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanderford |first=Aaron |date=April 14, 2022 |title=GOP state senator, seven other women say Charles Herbster groped them; he denies allegations |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/14/gop-state-senator-seven-other-women-say-charles-herbster-groped-them-he-denies-allegations/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Nebraska Examiner |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Paybarah |first=Azi |author-link=Azi Paybarah |date=April 14, 2022 |title=Nebraska State Senator Says Candidate for Governor Groped Her |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/14/us/politics/charles-herbster-julie-slama-nebraska.html |access-date=April 15, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Two weeks later, a former legislative assistant to State Senator [[Dave Murman]] publicly accused Herbster of groping her at the same event in which Slama accused Herbster of groping her.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/julie-slama-elizabeth-todson-charles-herbster-groping-accusations_n_626e169ce4b029505df325fc |title=2nd Woman Publicly Accuses Nebraska Candidate Of Groping |first=Mary |last=Papenfuss |date=May 1, 2022 |work=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/second-woman-accuses-herbster-of-groping-her-at-dinner-event/article_be7663e4-c894-11ec-9a1c-6bf84a3fb493.html |title=Second woman accuses Herbster of 'groping' her at dinner event |first=Luna |last=Stephens |date=April 30, 2022 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald}}</ref> Herbster filed a [[defamation]] lawsuit against Slama in the Johnson County District Court.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/22/charles-herbster-files-lawsuit-alleging-groundless-attack-by-nebraska-sen-julie-slama/ |title=Charles Herbster sues Sen. Julie Slama, whose lawyer says she'll 'stand strong' |first=Cindy |last=Gonzalez |date=April 22, 2022 |work=Nebraska Examiner}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/04/donald-trump-charles-herbster-support |title=Surprise: Trump Doubles Down on Support of GOP Candidate Accused of Groping More Than Half a Dozen Women |first=Bess |last=Levin |date=April 29, 2022 |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> Three days later, Slama filed a [[countersuit]] against Herbster alleging that Herbster had committed [[sexual battery]]. Her lawyer called Herbster's lawsuit "a frivolous and bad faith attempt to bully a sexual assault victim into silence".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/25/sen-julie-slama-files-countersuit-against-charles-herbster-alleging-sexual-battery/ |title=Sen. Julie Slama files countersuit against Charles Herbster, alleging sexual battery |first=Aaron |last=Sanderford |date=April 25, 2022 |work=Nebraska Examiner}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/crime-and-courts/slama-fires-back-in-legal-fight-against-herbster/article_159e197c-4e44-5b88-9993-bd8ba22ab4ab.html |title=Slama fires back in legal fight against Herbster |first= Sara |last=Gentzler |date=April 25, 2022 |newspaper=[[Lincoln Journal Star]]}}</ref> In court papers, Slama gave specific and graphic details on how Herbster assaulted her in public and requested a jury trial.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/16/slama-lawsuit-moves-forward-with-new-groping-details-herbster-denies/ |title=Slama lawsuit moves forward with new groping details; Herbster denies |first=Aaron |last=Sanderford |date=May 16, 2022 |work=Nebraska Examiner}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wowt.com/2022/05/17/new-details-emerge-charles-herbster-sexual-assault-allegations/ |title=New details emerge in Charles Herbster sexual assault case |first=Brian |last=Mastre |date=May 16, 2022 |work=[[WOWT]]}}</ref> Slama's lawyers sought to depose Herbster before the primary election, but Herbster's lawyers successfully delayed a deposition of their client in May 2022,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/herbster-attorneys-file-protective-order-against-slama-and-counsel/39929424 |title=Herbster attorneys file 'protective order' against Slama and counsel |date=May 6, 2022 |work=[[KETV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wowt.com/2022/05/05/herbsters-legal-team-files-multiple-motions-countersuit/ |title=Herbster's legal team files multiple motions in countersuit |first=Brian |last=Mastre |date=May 5, 2022 |work=[[WOWT]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.omahadailyrecord.com/content/charles-herbster-skips-friday-deposition-counter-lawsuit-filed-state-sen-julie-slama |title=Charles Herbster Skips Friday Deposition In Counter-Lawsuit Filed By State Sen. Julie Slama |date=May 10, 2022 |newspaper=Omaha Daily Record |first=Paul |last=Hammel}}</ref> and continued to resist a deposition in June 2022.<ref>{{cite news|author=Erin Bamer|url=https://norfolkdailynews.com/state/nebraska/herbsters-lawyers-resist-deposition-in-slama-lawsuit-at-court-hearing/article_fe2cd987-3969-5bcd-88d4-b545b56b69ed.html|title=Herbster's lawyers resist deposition in Slama lawsuit at court hearing|date=June 15, 2022|work= Omaha World-Herald|via=Norfolk Daily News}}</ref> Slama accused Herbster of waging a "prejudicial media war" against her.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wowt.com/2022/05/09/state-sen-slama-legal-filing-accuses-herbster-waging-media-war-against-her/ |title=State Sen. Slama legal filing accuses Herbster of waging 'media war' against her |first=Gina |last=Dvorak |date=May 9, 2022 |work=[[WOWT]]}}</ref> Although Donald Trump continued to support Herbster in his run for governor after the allegations were made public, in April 2022 the "former president relayed word that Herbster wasn't fighting back hard enough" to dispel the assault allegations<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/28/trumps-risky-primary-play-rallying-for-a-longtime-ally-accused-of-sexual-misconduct-00028611 |title=Trump goes all in for candidate accused of sexual assault |first=Alex |last=Isenstadt |date=April 28, 2022 |work=[[Politico]]}}</ref> which encouraged Herbster to release video attack ads against Slama without directly mentioning her name.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/trump-nebraska-herbster.html |title=Trump Coaching Nebraska Candidate Accused of Serial Sexual Assaults |first=Ed |last=Kilgore |date=April 29, 2022 |magazine=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]}}</ref> In October 2022, Herbster and Slama dropped their lawsuits against one another.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Bill |title=Herbster drops defamation suit; Slama ends sexual battery case |url=https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/herbster-drops-defamation-suit-slama-ends-sexual-battery-case/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |work=[[Nebraska Public Media]] |date=October 28, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> == Ashley Madison data breach == In April 2022, the [[Daily Mail]] reported that Herbster's email address was found in the [[Ashley Madison data breach]], back in July 2015. The IP address associated with the email address corresponded to the [[Kansas City International Airport]] which is located in the same city where his administrative office is. A spokesperson for the Herbster campaign denied that he had ever used [[Ashley Madison]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crilly |first1=Rob |title=EXCLUSIVE - Email address tied to Trump-backed Nebraska governor candidate Charles Herbster set up account on cheating site Ashley Madison: Republican hit by fresh scandal after being accused of groping several women |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10751315/Trump-endorsed-candidate-Nebraska-governors-email-address-Ashley-Madison-data-dump.html |website=Daily Mail |publisher=Daily Mail |access-date=14 February 2023}}</ref> == Personal life == Herbster considers himself an [[evangelical Christian]].<ref name=":2" /> While a student at the University of Nebraska, Herbster married fellow student Lorienne Gayle Smith in 1975.<ref>{{cite news |title=Smith-Herbster |newspaper=[[Lincoln Journal Star]] |date=February 2, 1975 |page=24 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86958703/smith-herbster-lincoln-journal-star-li/ |via=[[Newspaper.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Herbster tapped by Phi Upsilon |newspaper=Marysville Advocate (Maysville, Kansas) |date=December 1, 1977 |page=17 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86958829/herbster-tapped-by-phi-upsilon-marysvil/ |via=[[Newspaper.com]]}}</ref> Their marriage ended in divorce in 1980.<ref>{{cite news |title=Divorce decrees |newspaper=[[Lincoln Journal Star]] |date=August 26, 1980 |page=5 |url=https://journalstar.newspapers.com/clip/97312936/herbster-charles-wesley-and-lorienne/ |via=[[Newspaper.com]]}}</ref> In 1982, he married Judith Ann Wagg, whom he met through his work at Conklin Company. It was reported that Judith Herbster died on May 2, 2017.<ref name="JudithObit" /> == References == {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{Official website}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Herbster, Charles}} [[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]] [[Category:21st-century American politicians]] [[Category:American chief executives]] [[Category:American evangelicals]] [[Category:American manufacturing businesspeople]] [[Category:American political fundraisers]] [[Category:Businesspeople from Nebraska]] [[Category:Christians from Nebraska]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Nebraska Republicans]] [[Category:People from Falls City, Nebraska]] [[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]'