LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Governor Dave Heineman is seeking applicants to fill the vacancy on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents created when Lavon Heidemann resigned to become lieutenant governor.

The governor’s office is accepting applications for District 5, an area that covers a portion of southeast Nebraska, through the close of business on March 8. The new regent will stand for election in 2014.

Heineman said Friday that his appointment will be based on the person’s views on agriculture, college affordability and the university’s role in spurring economic growth.

The new board opening has drawn the attention of abortion opponents, who want Heineman to fill the seat with a candidate who opposes embryonic stem cell research.

He says the stem-cell issue is important to him as well, but he plans to focus on a broader set of factors when making his decision…and that Heidemann will be his top adviser when deciding which applicant to pick.