Charles Herbster

{{Short description|American agribusiness executive and politician}}

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Charles Herbster

|image = Charles Herbster.jpg

|birth_name = Charles Wesley Herbster

|birth_date = {{birth year and age|1954}}

|birth_place = Falls City, Nebraska, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|spouse = {{plainlist|

{{marriage |Lorienne Smith|1975|1980|end=div}}
{{marriage |Judith Wagg|1982|May 2, 2017|end=died}}}}

|party = Republican

|education = University of Nebraska–Lincoln (attended)

}}

Charles Wesley Herbster (born 1954){{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/19/2022-elections-trump-to-rally-with-nebraska-candidate-charles-herbster-following-accusations-of-groping.html |title=Trump Announces Rally with Nebraska Gubernatorial Candidate Accused of Groping GOP State Senator, Other Women |publisher=CNBC |date=April 19, 2022 |accessdate=April 28, 2022 |first=Kevin |last=Breuninger}} 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).{{cite news |url=https://fcjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/images/eedition/2-14-2012e-edition.pdf |title=Obituaries: Donald Eugene Herbster |newspaper=Falls City Journal |date=February 14, 2012 |page=10 |quote=The couple lived in town until after their only child, Charles Wesley Herbster, was born in 1954.}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Owner Biography |url=https://www.conklin.com/owner-bio |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Conklin Company}}

Career

=Agriculture=

Herbster is a cattle producer and owns Herbster Angus Farms in Falls City.{{Cite news |last=Honan |first=Kim |date=February 11, 2019 |title=Trump advisory chairman buys bull named America for record $2.1m |language=en-AU |work=ABC News (Australia) |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-02-11/angus-bull-sells-for-record-price-of-2-million/10800152 |access-date=April 15, 2022}} 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.{{cite magazine |title=Charles W. Herbster |magazine=The Showtimes Magazine |issue=57 |date=Nov–Dec 2017 |url=https://www.theshowtimesmagazine.com/halloffame/charles-w-herbster |pages=67–74}} 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.{{cite news |title=Lend this guy an ear |newspaper=Journal Gazette |location=Mattoon, IL |date=January 7, 2004 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959071/lend-this-guy-an-ear-journal-gazette-m/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959111/lend-this-guy-an-ear-journal-gazette-m/ 6]}}

He also owns Conklin Co., a Kansas City, Missouri-based manufacturing company, which is structured as a multi-level marketing (MLM) business,{{Cite web |last=Tysver |first=Robynn |date=September 13, 2013 |title=Governor's race dropout Herbster donates $860,000 in campaign assets to Beau McCoy |url=https://omaha.com/news/governors-race-dropout-herbster-donates-860-000-in-campaign-assets-to-beau-mccoy/article_0e7a8bda-ae8d-514c-b008-193eda404eb9.html |access-date=April 15, 2022 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald}}{{Cite web |last=Philpott |first=Tom |title=Trump's ag czar runs his business like Herbalife |url=https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/08/trumps-ag-czar-running-mlm/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |magazine=Mother Jones |date=August 18, 2016}} which he purchased from Bob Conklin with his wife, Judith, in 1992.{{cite web |title=Obituary for Judith Ann Herbster, 1955-2017 |newspaper=St. Joseph News-Press |date=May 8, 2017 |page=A6 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86958909/ |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86964768/in-brief-star-tribune-minneapolis-mn/ |title=In brief |newspaper=Star Tribune |date=February 19, 1992 |page=33 |via=Newspapers.com}} 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.{{cite news |title=Ag groups pushing Herbster for post |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star |date=March 14, 2017 |pages=A3, A5 |via=Newspapers.com}} [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959727/ag-groups-pushing-herbster-for-post-lin/ page A3][https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959770/ag-groups-pushing-herbster-for-post-lin/ page A5] Herbster bought North American Breeders in 2015.{{Cite news |last=Salter |first=Peter |date=February 24, 2019 |title=Bull Market: Nebraska rancher pays record $1.5M for 'freak' |pages=A1 |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801089/bull-market-nebraska-rancher-pays/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Salter |first=Peter |title=Freak of a bull sells for $1.5 million |newspaper=Elko Daily Free Press |date=February 26, 2016 |page=A2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86960373/ |via=Newspapers.com}} He later bought a one-year-old Angus bull for $2.14 million at a North Dakota auction. 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.

=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.{{Cite web |last=Kullgren |first=Ian |date=July 27, 2016 |title=Trump's top ag adviser: A kingmaker from the plains |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/trumps-top-ag-adviser-a-kingmaker-from-the-plains-226209 |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Politico}} 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. 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.

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

For six weeks, Herbster was a candidate in 2014 Nebraska gubernatorial election. He withdrew from the race after concerns were raised about his Nebraska residency.{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2013 |title=A tale of two houses: Does candidate for NE governor actually live in the state? |url=http://watchdog.org/101048/a-tale-of-two-houses-does-candidate-for-ne-governor-actually-live-in-that-state/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |work=Nebraska Watchdog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025153352/http://watchdog.org/101048/a-tale-of-two-houses-does-candidate-for-ne-governor-actually-live-in-that-state/ |archive-date=25 October 2014 |url-status=dead |first=Deena |last=Winter}}{{Cite web |last=Walton |first=Don |title=Sen. Beau McCoy enters GOP governor race |url=https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/sen-beau-mccoy-enters-gop-governor-race/article_b3be4d29-4396-502b-b4e4-82b4fba7aa1e.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star |date=August 23, 2013}} He later invested $2.7 million into then-Nebraska state senator Beau McCoy's campaign.{{Cite news |last=Walton |first=Don |date=August 24, 2013 |title=McCoy enters GOP race for governor |pages=A1 |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801853/mccoy-enters-gop-race-for-governor/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite web |first=Paul |last=Hammel |title=Businessman who donated about $2.7M to Beau McCoy's 2014 gubernatorial bid is now his new boss |url=https://omaha.com/news/state_and_regional/businessman-who-donated-about-2-7m-to-beau-mccoy-s-2014-gubernatorial-bid-is-now/article_b31ddbb2-5b06-5dbc-8033-6f57beb2d9b1.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald |date=Mar 19, 2015}} Herbster also hinted to the Omaha World-Herald that he funded dark money ads promoting McCoy and attacking other candidates.{{Cite web |last=Tysver |first=Robynn |title=Outsiders behind negative TV ads in Nebraska governor's race |url=https://omaha.com/news/outsiders-behind-negative-tv-ads-in-nebraska-governors-race/article_9728fc84-7ac6-5047-9ad8-f806eacb30f5.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald |date=April 13, 2014}} McCoy placed third in the Republican primary.{{Cite web |date=2018-08-04 |title=Nebraska Secretary of State - Election Night Results - May 15th, 2018 |url=http://electionresults.sos.ne.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=SW&map=CTY |access-date=2022-04-16 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804014456/http://electionresults.sos.ne.gov/resultsSW.aspx?text=Race&type=SW&map=CTY |archive-date=4 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}

Herbster was listed as a possible pick for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture in November 2016, days after Trump's election.{{cite news |title=Heineman, Herbster pegged as possible cabinet picks |newspaper=Fremont Tribune |date=November 12, 2016 |page=A2 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86959575/ |via=Newspapers.com}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Bergin |first=Nicholas |date=March 13, 2017 |title=Cattle associations back Nebraska businessman for deputy ag secretary |url=https://journalstar.com/business/agriculture/cattle-associations-back-nebraska-businessman-for-deputy-ag-secretary/article_edc3aec1-a4de-5d3c-9d45-e83a4513b56d.html |access-date=April 15, 2022 |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star}} In 2019, Herbster served as the chairman of Trump's agriculture and rural advisory committee. He served as an agricultural advisor in the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign.{{Cite news |last=Gentzler |first=Sara |date=October 29, 2021 |title=After Ricketts rejection, Herbster touts loyalty to Trump |pages=A4 |newspaper=Fremont Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801401/after-ricketts-rejection-herbster/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

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.{{Cite AV media |title=Daniel Beck - Trump Hotel! |url=https://www.facebook.com/danieljessbeck/videos/10158768293107432/ |language=en |access-date=2022-04-16 |date=January 5, 2021 |first=Daniel |last=Beck |work=Facebook}}{{Cite web |last=Sanderford |first=Aaron |date=2022-02-25 |title=Herbster was schmoozing with Trump team Jan. 5-6 as they detailed plans to overturn election |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/25/herbster-was-schmoozing-with-trump-team-jan-5-6-as-they-detailed-plans-to-overturn-election/ |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Nebraska Examiner}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Sanderford |first=Aaron |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Charles Herbster, who may run for Nebraska governor, was at Trump rally before Capitol violence |pages= |work=Omaha World-Herald |url=https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/charles-herbster-who-may-run-for-nebraska-governor-was-at-trump-rally-before-capitol-violence/article_1127b77e-5081-11eb-9ff2-7bebb9126789.html}}{{Cite web |last=Herbster |first=Charles W. |date=January 5, 2021 |title=Herbster, Charles W. |url=https://www.facebook.com/charles.w.herbster/posts/2939983049564437 |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=Facebook}} 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.{{Cite web |first=Aaron |last=Sanderford |date=2022-02-25 |title=Herbster was schmoozing with Trump team Jan. 5-6 as they detailed plans to overturn election |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/02/25/herbster-was-schmoozing-with-trump-team-jan-5-6-as-they-detailed-plans-to-overturn-election/ |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Nebraska Examiner |language=en-US}}

=2022 gubernatorial election=

File:Charles Herbster campaigning with Donald Trump.jpg

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.{{Cite news |last=Walton |first=Don |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Charles Herbster prepares 2022 gubernatorial bid |pages=B6 |newspaper=Columbus Telegram |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801540/charles-herbster-prepares-2022/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} 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. In 2021, Herbster called Ben Sasse a "Looney Tune Senator." 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.{{Cite news |last=Dunker |first=Chris |date=July 16, 2021 |title=NU faculty say resolution violates policy |pages=A4 |newspaper=Fremont Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801476/nu-faculty-say-resolution-violates/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-03 |title=Nebraska's Charles Herbster paid property taxes late nearly 600 times |url=https://www.3newsnow.com/news/investigations/nebraskas-charles-herbster-paid-property-taxes-late-nearly-600-times |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=KMTV-TV |first1=Aaron |last1=Sanderford |first2=Aaron |last2=Hegarty}}

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.{{Cite news |first=Sara |last=Gentzler |title=The top four Republican candidates for Nebraska governor agree: Biden is president |url=https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/the-top-four-republican-candidates-for-nebraska-governor-agree-biden-is-president/article_be2bfe00-aa33-11ec-aa07-9bac59c6bcf1.html |access-date=2022-04-16 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald |date=March 23, 2022}}{{Cite web |date=2021-04-26 |title=Charles Herbster announces run for Nebraska governor |url=https://www.3newsnow.com/news/political/charles-herbster-announces-run-for-nebraska-governor |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=KMTV-TV |first=Aaron |last=Sanderford}} Incumbent governor Pete Ricketts denounced the endorsement.{{Cite news |last=Gaarder |first=Nancy |date=October 28, 2021 |title=Trump endorses Herbster for governor |pages=A1 |newspaper=Beatrice Daily Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99801724/trump-endorses-herbster-for-governor/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}} Reid Epstein of the New York Times characterized the Trump endorsement as the "entire rationale" for the campaign.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/07/us/politics/trump-endorsement-herbster-nebraska-midterms.html |title=In Nebraska, a Trump-Inspired Candidate Cracks Open Divide in the G.O.P. |newspaper=New York Times |first=Reid |last=Epstein |date=May 7, 2022}}

In May 2022, Herbster lost the primary election, placing second behind businessman Jim Pillen.{{cite news |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-endorsed-nebraska-charles-herbster-fails-to-win-gop-primary-2022-5 |title=Trump-endorsed Nebraska gubernatorial candidate loses contentious primary amid groping allegations |first=Brent D. |last=Griffiths |date=May 10, 2022 |work=Business Insider}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/05/10/us/elections/results-nebraska-governor.html |title=Nebraska Governor Primary Election Results |date=May 13, 2022 |newspaper=New York Times}}

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 dating back to 2017. The allegations were supported by witnesses. Herbster denies the allegations.{{Cite web |last=Sanderford |first=Aaron |date=April 14, 2022 |title=GOP state senator, seven other women say Charles Herbster groped them; he denies allegations |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/14/gop-state-senator-seven-other-women-say-charles-herbster-groped-them-he-denies-allegations/ |access-date=April 15, 2022 |website=Nebraska Examiner |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Paybarah |first=Azi |author-link=Azi Paybarah |date=April 14, 2022 |title=Nebraska State Senator Says Candidate for Governor Groped Her |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/14/us/politics/charles-herbster-julie-slama-nebraska.html |access-date=April 15, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/julie-slama-elizabeth-todson-charles-herbster-groping-accusations_n_626e169ce4b029505df325fc |title=2nd Woman Publicly Accuses Nebraska Candidate Of Groping |first=Mary |last=Papenfuss |date=May 1, 2022 |work=HuffPost}}{{cite news |url=https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/second-woman-accuses-herbster-of-groping-her-at-dinner-event/article_be7663e4-c894-11ec-9a1c-6bf84a3fb493.html |title=Second woman accuses Herbster of 'groping' her at dinner event |first=Luna |last=Stephens |date=April 30, 2022 |newspaper=Omaha World-Herald}}

Herbster filed a defamation lawsuit against Slama in Johnson County District Court.{{cite news |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/22/charles-herbster-files-lawsuit-alleging-groundless-attack-by-nebraska-sen-julie-slama/ |title=Charles Herbster sues Sen. Julie Slama, whose lawyer says she'll 'stand strong' |first=Cindy |last=Gonzalez |date=April 22, 2022 |work=Nebraska Examiner}}{{cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/04/donald-trump-charles-herbster-support |title=Surprise: Trump Doubles Down on Support of GOP Candidate Accused of Groping More Than Half a Dozen Women |first=Bess |last=Levin |date=April 29, 2022 |magazine=Vanity Fair}} 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."{{cite news |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/04/25/sen-julie-slama-files-countersuit-against-charles-herbster-alleging-sexual-battery/ |title=Sen. Julie Slama files countersuit against Charles Herbster, alleging sexual battery |first=Aaron |last=Sanderford |date=April 25, 2022 |work=Nebraska Examiner}}{{cite news |url=https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/crime-and-courts/slama-fires-back-in-legal-fight-against-herbster/article_159e197c-4e44-5b88-9993-bd8ba22ab4ab.html |title=Slama fires back in legal fight against Herbster |first= Sara |last=Gentzler |date=April 25, 2022 |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star}} In court papers, Slama gave specific and graphic details on how Herbster assaulted her in public and requested a jury trial.{{cite news |url=https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/05/16/slama-lawsuit-moves-forward-with-new-groping-details-herbster-denies/ |title=Slama lawsuit moves forward with new groping details; Herbster denies |first=Aaron |last=Sanderford |date=May 16, 2022 |work=Nebraska Examiner}}{{cite news |url=https://www.wowt.com/2022/05/17/new-details-emerge-charles-herbster-sexual-assault-allegations/ |title=New details emerge in Charles Herbster sexual assault case |first=Brian |last=Mastre |date=May 16, 2022 |work=WOWT}}

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{{cite news |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/herbster-attorneys-file-protective-order-against-slama-and-counsel/39929424 |title=Herbster attorneys file 'protective order' against Slama and counsel |date=May 6, 2022 |work=KETV}}{{cite news |url=https://www.wowt.com/2022/05/05/herbsters-legal-team-files-multiple-motions-countersuit/ |title=Herbster's legal team files multiple motions in countersuit |first=Brian |last=Mastre |date=May 5, 2022 |work=WOWT}}{{cite news |url=https://www.omahadailyrecord.com/content/charles-herbster-skips-friday-deposition-counter-lawsuit-filed-state-sen-julie-slama |title=Charles Herbster Skips Friday Deposition In Counter-Lawsuit Filed By State Sen. Julie Slama |date=May 10, 2022 |newspaper=Omaha Daily Record |first=Paul |last=Hammel}} and continued to resist a deposition in June 2022.{{cite news|author=Erin Bamer|url=https://norfolkdailynews.com/state/nebraska/herbsters-lawyers-resist-deposition-in-slama-lawsuit-at-court-hearing/article_fe2cd987-3969-5bcd-88d4-b545b56b69ed.html|title=Herbster's lawyers resist deposition in Slama lawsuit at court hearing|date=June 15, 2022|work= Omaha World-Herald|via=Norfolk Daily News}} Slama accused Herbster of waging a "prejudicial media war" against her.{{cite news |url=https://www.wowt.com/2022/05/09/state-sen-slama-legal-filing-accuses-herbster-waging-media-war-against-her/ |title=State Sen. Slama legal filing accuses Herbster of waging 'media war' against her |first=Gina |last=Dvorak |date=May 9, 2022 |work=WOWT}}

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{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/28/trumps-risky-primary-play-rallying-for-a-longtime-ally-accused-of-sexual-misconduct-00028611 |title=Trump goes all in for candidate accused of sexual assault |first=Alex |last=Isenstadt |date=April 28, 2022 |work=Politico}} which encouraged Herbster to release video attack ads against Slama without directly mentioning her name.{{cite news |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2022/04/trump-nebraska-herbster.html |title=Trump Coaching Nebraska Candidate Accused of Serial Sexual Assaults |first=Ed |last=Kilgore |date=April 29, 2022 |magazine=New York}}

In October 2022, Herbster and Slama dropped their lawsuits against one another.{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Bill |title=Herbster drops defamation suit; Slama ends sexual battery case |url=https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/herbster-drops-defamation-suit-slama-ends-sexual-battery-case/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |work=Nebraska Public Media |date=October 28, 2022 |language=en}}

Personal life

Herbster considers himself an evangelical Christian. While a student at the University of Nebraska, Herbster married fellow student Lorienne Gayle Smith in 1975.{{cite news |title=Smith-Herbster |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star |date=February 2, 1975 |page=24 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86958703/smith-herbster-lincoln-journal-star-li/ |via=Newspaper.com}}{{cite news |title=Herbster tapped by Phi Upsilon |newspaper=Marysville Advocate (Maysville, Kansas) |date=December 1, 1977 |page=17 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86958829/herbster-tapped-by-phi-upsilon-marysvil/ |via=Newspaper.com}} Their marriage ended in divorce in 1980.{{cite news |title=Divorce decrees |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star |date=August 26, 1980 |page=5 |url=https://journalstar.newspapers.com/clip/97312936/herbster-charles-wesley-and-lorienne/ |via=Newspaper.com}} 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.