LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Support from fellow conservatives is helping a Nebraska state senator hold onto his job after admitting that he had cybersex on a state laptop computer with a woman who later tried to blackmail him.

Republican Bill Kintner is refusing to resign despite pressure to do so, including from his own party’s governor.

 

It’s the kind of scandal that has toppled lawmakers in other states. And Kintner’s past comments on immigration, gay rights and fellow legislators have made even supporters cringe. Conservative groups worried about losing one of their strongest allies are rallying behind Kintner, even as they condemn his behavior as disgraceful.

Sen. Ernie Chambers, a left-leaning independent who frequently clashes with Kintner, blasted his rival for having “no sense of shame” and “no common decency.” But Kintner says Chambers went too far by mentioning his wife in an open letter that ridicules Kintner.

Kintner called the letter “absolutely inappropriate” in a statement released Thursday. Chambers has written a series of missives on state letterhead, making fun of Kintner in an attempt to pressure him to resign. Kintner’s wife, Lauren Kintner, is a policy adviser to Gov. Pete Ricketts and has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

A letter Chambers distributed Tuesday does not mention her by name, but insinuates the senator had cybersex with a woman he met online because he was seeking things his wife lacked.

Chambers has said Kintner’s refusal to resign and shield his wife from embarrassment speaks to his character.