Social conservative group backs Sasse for Nebraska Senate

Nebraska Republican Senate candidate Ben Sasse picked up another big conservative endorsement in the race, getting the backing of the Family Research Council.

{mosads}FRC Action PAC President Connie Mackey said in a statement announcing his endorsement that “these are challenging times.”

“Our economy has been decimated. The culture has been challenged beyond all reasonable limits. The strong, conservative men and women elected in 2010 and 2012 need reinforcements,” Mackey said.

She went on to say that Sasse has “compiled a consistent record while serving in both the public and private sectors.”

“We at FRC Action PAC are confident that Ben will be a strong advocate for limited government, for individual liberties and for traditional family values,” Mackey added.

Sasse previously served as an assistant secretary of Health and Human Services under former President George W. Bush, and is currently president of Midland University.

He’s also received the backing of two prominent national conservative groups — the Club for Growth and the Senate Conservatives Fund — and Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).

His main primary opponent, former state Treasurer Shane Osborn, took the support of FreedomWorks. The group has said Sasse wouldn’t do enough to oppose ObamaCare if elected, citing his work on healthcare policy during his time in the Bush administration.

But the endorsements appear to have helped Sasse — a recent conservative poll showed him gaining support and about tied with Osborn.

Republicans are expected to retain retiring Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns’s (R) seat easily in November.