Photo: Julie Slama prevents the wind from toppling flags during an event sponsored by then Gov. Pete Ricketts

 

DUNBAR - Two days after announcing her campaign for the Republican nomination for state treasurer, former State Sen. Julie Slama has suspended her campaign.

After Slama made public her intention to seek the office Monday, current treasurer Tom Briese announced he would resign and Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg to the post.

Spellerberg and Slama were both candidates for the job when Pillen appointed Briese to replace John Murante.

In her Facebook post, Slama said she met with Spellerberg today and believes he will bring the energy and perspective needed in the role of state treasurer.

Slama and then-Republican Janet Palmtag were involved in a GOP primary campaign in 2020 that resulted in a jury ordering the State Republican Party to pay $500,000 for defaming Palmtag in campaign material.

Then governor and now U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts appointed Slama to the state Legislature in 2019, when she was a 24-year-old law school student.

In her statement, Slama said she is endorsing Spellerberg.

Slama: “Too often in our party, primary races turn into expensive and bitter feuds with no upside for voters or for our party. This race will not be one of those circumstances.”