Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) announced on Thursday that he is stepping down as the president of the University of Florida because his wife was diagnosed with a serious medical condition that will require him to be home more often.

Sasse, who has been at the school since November 2022, said that his wife Melissa suffered an aneurysm and series of strokes in 2007 and that doctors had been preparing the family for the worst.

“We’ve battled some nasty seizures the last couple years, but she’s always remained a warrior,” he said. “In recent months, Melissa has been diagnosed with epilepsy and has been struggling with a new batch of memory issues. It’s been hard, but we’ve faced it together.”

He said that his role as a husband and a father takes priority over his professional career and that his wife “deserves a husband who can pull his weight, and my kids need a dad who can be home many more nights.”

“After extensive prayer and lots of family tears, I today asked UF Chair Mori Hosseini and our Board of Trustees to initiate a search for a new president of the university,” he said. “I need to step back for a time and focus more on the needs of my family while we rebuild more stable household systems.”

Mori Hosseini, chair of the Board of Trustees, said in a statement: “The Board of Trustees thanks Dr. Sasse for his service to the University of Florida. Under his leadership, UF has continued to advance on the national and international stage, benefiting our students, faculty, alumni, community and state. He has left a lasting impact on the university and all of those associated with it. We wish Ben all the best as he steps back to focus on his family.”

Dear Gator Nation and cherished friends,

This isn’t an easy note to write but wanted to give you an update on our family. As many of you know, my wife Melissa suffered an aneurysm and series of strokes in 2007. Back then, the docs prepared us for the worst, but – in God’s…

— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) July 19, 2024