University of Nebraska Regent Steps Down Amid Legal Troubles
Elizabeth O’Connor, a University of Nebraska Regent, announced her resignation on Tuesday as she faced imminent impeachment proceedings related to a serious legal charge. O’Connor, 35, was charged with felony drunken driving that resulted in bodily harm following a crash in Douglas County. Authorities report that her blood alcohol content was 0.321%—four times the legal limit—at the time of the incident.
The accident, which occurred on May 21 in the Benson area of eastern Douglas County, left the father of three young children injured. He had been lobbying for O’Connor’s resignation and urged lawmakers to increase their pressure on her to step down.
State Senator Kathleen Kauth, a Republican from Omaha, was ready to initiate impeachment proceedings against O’Connor, who is a Democrat. Impeachment would have required 25 votes and approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court. The Nebraska Legislature last undertook an impeachment in 2006, involving then-NU Regent C. David Hergert.
O’Connor, who has been serving on the NU board since 2019, stated she was resigning to avoid becoming a “distraction” to the board’s activities. “The University of Nebraska is facing many important opportunities and challenges, and District Four must have a representative that can serve effectively on the Board,” she said.
Senator Kauth criticized O’Connor for delaying her resignation, noting she still had seven months’ worth of decisions to make, including managing a $3.6 billion budget. Kauth remarked, “Clearly, she does not make great decisions, so I question why she stayed in so long.”
Senate sentiment seemed to support Kauth’s stance, as a recent survey by the Nebraska Examiner indicated significant bipartisan backing for impeachment. The Legislature comprises 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats, and one nonpartisan progressive. Democratic support for impeachment could have jeopardized O’Connor’s position further, as three Democrats had already expressed their willingness to vote for it.
Senator Dave Murman, chair of the Legislature’s Education Committee, was also in favor of impeachment, citing public video evidence of the alleged incident. “Regents, like it or not, should be a model for student behavior, and with that serious of a felony allegation and the overwhelming evidence of what happened, she should do the right thing and resign,” Murman stated.
Governor Jim Pillen, who had worked alongside O’Connor on the regents board, suggested she should resign if the allegations proved true. He is tasked with appointing her successor, likely a conservative, until a special election in 2026, as O’Connor was reelected in 2024 with 67% of the vote.
O’Connor’s resignation takes effect at 11:59 p.m. on January 9, as confirmed by both her and NU officials. NU President Dr. Jeffrey Gold acknowledged her service and expressed anticipation for working with her successor to strengthen the university.
Kauth noted that O’Connor’s resignation allows lawmakers to focus on other issues as the 2026 legislative session begins, which includes addressing a projected $471 million budget deficit. O’Connor’s legal case is set to proceed in Douglas County District Court on January 22, and her defense is actively preparing for trial.
