“We need more Nebraska common sense in Washington, not more Washington regulations in Nebraska,” he said just a week before Nebraskans go to the polls.

Along with the former Massachusetts governor, Sasse was accompanied by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, U.S. Reps. Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith, and State Auditor Mike Foley, the running mate of GOP gubernatorial candidate Pete Ricketts. Sasse’s wife, Melissa, and their three children also stood with him.

The campaign said an estimated 800 people attended the rally. The auditorium, which seats about 1,200, appeared to be more than half full.

Although Sasse is president of Midland University in his hometown of Fremont, he also has held several positions on Capitol Hill. They include working under Mike Leavitt, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Leavitt, a former governor of Utah, worked with Romney when he organized the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. The connection was one reason Romney made the trip to Nebraska to support Sasse.