LINCOLN, Neb. (KTIV) -
Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman named former state senator and Board of Regent Lavon Heidemann as the new Lieutenant Governor. 54-year-old Heidemann was sworn in during a public ceremony at the Capitol at 3:30 Wednesday afternoon.
"I'm pleased Lavon has agreed to serve the people of Nebraska as the Lieutenant Governor," said Gov. Heineman. "He is a proven, dedicated public servant for the citizens of Nebraska. He will complete this term as Lt. Governor with integrity, and I look forward to working with him as we continue to move Nebraska forward."
"I am excited for this opportunity to serve the people of Nebraska," said Lt. Gov. Heidemann. "Public service is something in which I believe deeply. I am looking forward to my time traveling our state, meeting with our citizens, visiting our businesses."
Lt. Gov. Heidemann is a farmer and livestock producer, and is a volunteer firefighter. He was elected to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in 2012. Prior to his time as a Regent, Lt. Gov. Heidemann served as a State Senator for Legislative District 1 from 2005 to 2013. As a member of the Legislature, he served as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee for six years.
Lt. Gov. Heidemann was born in Pawnee City. He and his wife Robin have three children.
Heidemann will replace Rick Sheehy, who resigned abruptly earlier this month. His resignation came as the Omaha World-Herald revealed that Sheehy had made thousands of calls to women, other than his wife, on his state-issued cell phone.
Heineman, a Republican, has said he wants a replacement who does not intend to run for governor in 2014.
