Charles Herbster
Personal details
Born
Charles Wesley Herbster

1954 (age 69–70)
Falls City, Nebraska, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
Lorienne Smith
​
​
(m. 1975; div. 1980)​
    Judith Wagg
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1982; died 2017)​
    EducationUniversity of Nebraska–Lincoln (attended)

    Charles Wesley Herbster (born 1954)[1][2] 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 Trump's 2020 presidential campaign. Herbster also ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for Governor of Nebraska in 2014 and 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).[2] 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.[3]

    Career

    Agriculture

    Herbster is a cattle producer and owns Herbster Angus Farms in Falls City.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]

    He also owns Conklin Co., a Kansas City, Missouri-based manufacturing company, which is structured as a multi-level marketing (MLM) business,[7][8] which he purchased from Bob Conklin with his wife, Judith, in 1992.[9][10] Conklin sells agricultural products including pesticide additives, farm fertilizers, probiotics for livestock, industrial roof coatings, and motor oils.

    Herbster also owns the cattle breeding firm North American Breeders, which is located in Berryville, Virginia.[11] Herbster bought North American Breeders in 2015.[12] 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.[13] He later bought a one-year-old Angus bull for $2.14 million at a North Dakota auction.[12] Livestock show magazine, The Showtimes, noted Herbster Angus Farms for the adherence of its cattle to Angus breed standards and along with high value breeders, Herbster 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.[5]

    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.[14] 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.[14] 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.[14]

    Herbster met Donald Trump in 2013 at Mar-a-Lago.[14]

    For six weeks, Herbster was a candidate in 2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election.[7][14] He withdrew from the race after concerns were raised about his Nebraska residency.[15][16] He later invested $2.7 million into then-Nebraska state senator Beau McCoy's campaign.[7][17][18] Herbster also hinted to the Omaha World-Herald that he funded dark money ads promoting McCoy and attacking other candidates.[19] McCoy placed third in the Republican primary.[20]

    Herbster was listed as a possible pick for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in November 2016, days after Trump's election.[21] 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.[22] In 2019, Herbster served as the chairman of Trump's agriculture and rural advisory committee.[4] He served as an agricultural advisor in the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign.[23]

    On January 5, 2021, Herbster participated in a meeting at Trump International Hotel with 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.[24][25] 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.[26][27] 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. and Kimberly Guilfoyle after the 2021 United States Capitol attack began.[28][23]

    2022 gubernatorial election

    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.[29] 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.[23] In 2021, Herbster called Ben Sasse a "Looney Tune Senator."[23] Herbster is opposed to the estate tax in the United States, and his opposition to critical race theory was a central part of his gubernatorial campaign.[30]

    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 that the funds were used for payroll; however, he gave personal donations totaling millions to political campaigns during this same time period.[31]

    Donald Trump endorsed Herbster in late 2021. Herbster has shifted between supporting the idea that Trump won the 2020 election and stating Joe Biden is the "duly elected" President.[32][33] Incumbent governor Pete Ricketts denounced the endorsement.[34] Reid Epstein of the New York Times characterized the Trump endorsement as the "entire rationale" for the campaign.[35]

    In May 2022, Herbster lost the primary election, placing second behind businessman Jim Pillen.[36][37]

    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. Herbster denies the allegations.[38][39] 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.[40][41]

    Herbster filed a defamation lawsuit against Slama in Johnson County District Court.[42][43] 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."[44][45] In court papers, Slama gave specific and graphic details on how Herbster assaulted her in public and requested a jury trial.[46][47]

    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[48][49][50] and continued to resist a deposition in June 2022.[51] Slama accused Herbster of waging a "prejudicial media war" against her.[52]

    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[53] which encouraged Herbster to release video attack ads against Slama without directly mentioning her name.[54]

    In October 2022, Herbster and Slama dropped their lawsuits against one another.[55]

    Personal life

    Herbster considers himself an evangelical Christian.[14] While a student at the University of Nebraska, Herbster married fellow student Lorienne Gayle Smith in 1975.[56][57] Their marriage ended in divorce in 1980.[58] 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.[9]

    References

    1. ↑ Breuninger, Kevin (April 19, 2022). "Trump Announces Rally with Nebraska Gubernatorial Candidate Accused of Groping GOP State Senator, Other Women". CNBC. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
    2. 1 2 "Obituaries: Donald Eugene Herbster" (PDF). Falls City Journal. February 14, 2012. p. 10. The couple lived in town until after their only child, Charles Wesley Herbster, was born in 1954.
    3. ↑ "Owner Biography". Conklin Company. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
    4. 1 2 Honan, Kim (February 11, 2019). "Trump advisory chairman buys bull named America for record $2.1m". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved April 15, 2022.
    5. 1 2 "Charles W. Herbster". The Showtimes Magazine. No. 57. November–December 2017. pp. 67–74.
    6. ↑ "Lend this guy an ear". Journal Gazette. Mattoon, IL. January 7, 2004. pp. 1, 6.
    7. 1 2 3 Tysver, Robynn (September 13, 2013). "Governor's race dropout Herbster donates $860,000 in campaign assets to Beau McCoy". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
    8. ↑ Philpott, Tom (August 18, 2016). "Trump's ag czar runs his business like Herbalife". Mother Jones. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    9. 1 2 "Obituary for Judith Ann Herbster, 1955-2017". St. Joseph News-Press. May 8, 2017. p. A6 – via Newspapers.com.
    10. ↑ "In brief". Star Tribune. February 19, 1992. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
    11. ↑ "Ag groups pushing Herbster for post". Lincoln Journal Star. March 14, 2017. pp. A3, A5 – via Newspapers.com. page A3page A5
    12. 1 2 Salter, Peter (February 24, 2019). "Bull Market: Nebraska rancher pays record $1.5M for 'freak'". Lincoln Journal Star. pp. A1. Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    13. ↑ Salter, Peter (February 26, 2016). "Freak of a bull sells for $1.5 million". Elko Daily Free Press. p. A2 – via Newspapers.com.
    14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kullgren, Ian (July 27, 2016). "Trump's top ag adviser: A kingmaker from the plains". Politico. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
    15. ↑ Winter, Deena (August 14, 2013). "A tale of two houses: Does candidate for NE governor actually live in the state?". Nebraska Watchdog. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    16. ↑ Walton, Don (August 23, 2013). "Sen. Beau McCoy enters GOP governor race". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    17. ↑ Walton, Don (August 24, 2013). "McCoy enters GOP race for governor". Lincoln Journal Star. pp. A1. Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    18. ↑ Hammel, Paul (March 19, 2015). "Businessman who donated about $2.7M to Beau McCoy's 2014 gubernatorial bid is now his new boss". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    19. ↑ Tysver, Robynn (April 13, 2014). "Outsiders behind negative TV ads in Nebraska governor's race". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    20. ↑ "Nebraska Secretary of State - Election Night Results - May 15th, 2018". August 4, 2018. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    21. ↑ "Heineman, Herbster pegged as possible cabinet picks". Fremont Tribune. November 12, 2016. p. A2 – via Newspapers.com.
    22. ↑ Bergin, Nicholas (March 13, 2017). "Cattle associations back Nebraska businessman for deputy ag secretary". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
    23. 1 2 3 4 Gentzler, Sara (October 29, 2021). "After Ricketts rejection, Herbster touts loyalty to Trump". Fremont Tribune. pp. A4. Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    24. ↑ Beck, Daniel (January 5, 2021). Daniel Beck - Trump Hotel!. Facebook. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    25. ↑ Sanderford, Aaron (February 25, 2022). "Herbster was schmoozing with Trump team Jan. 5-6 as they detailed plans to overturn election". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    26. ↑ Sanderford, Aaron (January 6, 2021). "Charles Herbster, who may run for Nebraska governor, was at Trump rally before Capitol violence". Omaha World-Herald.
    27. ↑ Herbster, Charles W. (January 5, 2021). "Herbster, Charles W." Facebook. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    28. ↑ Sanderford, Aaron (February 25, 2022). "Herbster was schmoozing with Trump team Jan. 5-6 as they detailed plans to overturn election". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
    29. ↑ Walton, Don (November 12, 2020). "Charles Herbster prepares 2022 gubernatorial bid". Columbus Telegram. pp. B6. Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    30. ↑ Dunker, Chris (July 16, 2021). "NU faculty say resolution violates policy". Fremont Tribune. pp. A4. Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    31. ↑ Sanderford, Aaron; Hegarty, Aaron (June 3, 2021). "Nebraska's Charles Herbster paid property taxes late nearly 600 times". KMTV-TV. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    32. ↑ Gentzler, Sara (March 23, 2022). "The top four Republican candidates for Nebraska governor agree: Biden is president". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    33. ↑ Sanderford, Aaron (April 26, 2021). "Charles Herbster announces run for Nebraska governor". KMTV-TV. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
    34. ↑ Gaarder, Nancy (October 28, 2021). "Trump endorses Herbster for governor". Beatrice Daily Sun. pp. A1. Retrieved April 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
    35. ↑ Epstein, Reid (May 7, 2022). "In Nebraska, a Trump-Inspired Candidate Cracks Open Divide in the G.O.P." New York Times.
    36. ↑ Griffiths, Brent D. (May 10, 2022). "Trump-endorsed Nebraska gubernatorial candidate loses contentious primary amid groping allegations". Business Insider.
    37. ↑ "Nebraska Governor Primary Election Results". New York Times. May 13, 2022.
    38. ↑ Sanderford, Aaron (April 14, 2022). "GOP state senator, seven other women say Charles Herbster groped them; he denies allegations". Nebraska Examiner. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
    39. ↑ Paybarah, Azi (April 14, 2022). "Nebraska State Senator Says Candidate for Governor Groped Her". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
    40. ↑ Papenfuss, Mary (May 1, 2022). "2nd Woman Publicly Accuses Nebraska Candidate Of Groping". HuffPost.
    41. ↑ Stephens, Luna (April 30, 2022). "Second woman accuses Herbster of 'groping' her at dinner event". Omaha World-Herald.
    42. ↑ Gonzalez, Cindy (April 22, 2022). "Charles Herbster sues Sen. Julie Slama, whose lawyer says she'll 'stand strong'". Nebraska Examiner.
    43. ↑ Levin, Bess (April 29, 2022). "Surprise: Trump Doubles Down on Support of GOP Candidate Accused of Groping More Than Half a Dozen Women". Vanity Fair.
    44. ↑ Sanderford, Aaron (April 25, 2022). "Sen. Julie Slama files countersuit against Charles Herbster, alleging sexual battery". Nebraska Examiner.
    45. ↑ Gentzler, Sara (April 25, 2022). "Slama fires back in legal fight against Herbster". Lincoln Journal Star.
    46. ↑ Sanderford, Aaron (May 16, 2022). "Slama lawsuit moves forward with new groping details; Herbster denies". Nebraska Examiner.
    47. ↑ Mastre, Brian (May 16, 2022). "New details emerge in Charles Herbster sexual assault case". WOWT.
    48. ↑ "Herbster attorneys file 'protective order' against Slama and counsel". KETV. May 6, 2022.
    49. ↑ Mastre, Brian (May 5, 2022). "Herbster's legal team files multiple motions in countersuit". WOWT.
    50. ↑ Hammel, Paul (May 10, 2022). "Charles Herbster Skips Friday Deposition In Counter-Lawsuit Filed By State Sen. Julie Slama". Omaha Daily Record.
    51. ↑ Erin Bamer (June 15, 2022). "Herbster's lawyers resist deposition in Slama lawsuit at court hearing". Omaha World-Herald – via Norfolk Daily News.
    52. ↑ Dvorak, Gina (May 9, 2022). "State Sen. Slama legal filing accuses Herbster of waging 'media war' against her". WOWT.
    53. ↑ Isenstadt, Alex (April 28, 2022). "Trump goes all in for candidate accused of sexual assault". Politico.
    54. ↑ Kilgore, Ed (April 29, 2022). "Trump Coaching Nebraska Candidate Accused of Serial Sexual Assaults". New York.
    55. ↑ Kelly, Bill (October 28, 2022). "Herbster drops defamation suit; Slama ends sexual battery case". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
    56. ↑ "Smith-Herbster". Lincoln Journal Star. February 2, 1975. p. 24 – via Newspaper.com.
    57. ↑ "Herbster tapped by Phi Upsilon". Marysville Advocate (Maysville, Kansas). December 1, 1977. p. 17 – via Newspaper.com.
    58. ↑ "Divorce decrees". Lincoln Journal Star. August 26, 1980. p. 5 – via Newspaper.com.
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