In 2001, Public Service Commissioner Dan Urwiller resigned from office following allegations that he had misused state resources.[3] Governor Mike Johanns appointed Vap as Urwiller's successor, and he was sworn in on August 7, 2001.[2]
Vap ran for re-election in 2004. He won the Republican primary unopposed,[4] and was challenged by Nebraska Party nominee Anna Rosberg in the general election. Vap won re-election in a landslide, receiving 68 percent of the vote to Rosberg's 32 percent.[5]
In 2010, Vap ran for re-election to a second full term. He was challenged by five opponents in the Republican primary.[6] He won the primary with a small plurality, receiving 32 percent of the vote.[7] In the general election, Vap was re-elected unopposed.[8]
Vap sought re-election to a third full term in 2016,[9] and was challenged by rancher Mary Ridder in the Republican primary.[10] Ridder led Vap on election night by 57 votes,[11] which was reduced to 36 votes after the election results were certified, which prompted a recount.[12] The recount ultimately confirmed that Vap had lost renomination by 46 votes.[13][14]