Regent accused of felony DUI follows through with resignation

University of Nebraska Regent Elizabeth O’Connor resigned Friday as promised.

Nebraska Public Media obtained a copy of O’Connor’s resignation letter, which she sent via email to Gov. Jim Pillen’s office on Friday.

“This is written confirmation that I have made the personal decision to resign from the Board of Regents as the District Four Representative, effective on January 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.,” the letter said.

The 35-year-old O’Connor, who has been on the board since 2018, announced Dec. 30 that she planned to resign after being charged with a felony for allegedly driving while intoxicated and causing a crash in May that left a woman with serious injuries.

She resigned her position as a civil attorney in the Douglas County Attorney’s Office in August.

In her letter, O’Connor said she was “honored” to serve as a regent.

“During my time on the Board I have been proud to work alongside the other members of the Board, as well as the dedicated team members across the entire University of Nebraska system,” she said in her resignation letter.

Because O’Connor resigned as planned on Friday, Sen. Kathleen Kauth on Monday filed a motion to withdraw an impeachment resolution she had filed.

Pillen will now be responsible for naming a replacement for O'Connor.

"Governor Pillen has received and accepted Ms. O'Connor's resignation, which was effective on Friday," Laura Strimple, a spokeswoman for the governor said in a statement. "He will be working to fill that vacancy on the Board of Regents as quickly as possible."

Even though O’Connor was reelected in 2024, because she resigned, the seat will be up for election this year.