Nebraska Lt. Gov. Heidemann resigns office, amid assault accusations

In this June 2, 2014 file photo, Nebraska Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann speaks in Lincoln, Neb. (AP)

Nebraska Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann resigned from office and ended his candidacy Tuesday, one day after a judge granted a protection order to keep him away from his sister, who accused him of assault.

Heidemann announced his resignation at the Capitol alongside Gov. Dave Heineman. The Elk Creek farmer also stepped down as the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Pete Ricketts.

Heidemann said he disagrees with the statements made about him, but decided not to fight to remain in office.

"After much thought, discussion and prayer, I have decided that for the good of my family, for the office of lieutenant governor and for the future of Nebraska, I am resigning today," Heidemann said.

The protection order was granted Monday after Heidemann's sister, Lois Bohling, testified that she was afraid of her brother. Bohling said in a sworn statement that her brother grabbed her wrists and pushed her out of their mother's bedroom during an August dispute involving farmland and their 84-year-old mother's care.

Heidemann had been looking to continue serving in state government as Ricketts' running mate. Ricketts is running against Democratic hopeful Chuck Hassebrook and his running mate, Jane Raybould.

Heidemann served eight years as a state senator and was elected to the University of Nebraska Board of Regents shortly before he was chosen for his current post. His name has already been approved for the November ballot, and state law requires a certificate of death for a candidate to be removed, according to the secretary of state's office.