Arlene Nelson
Arlene Nelson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 35th district | |
| In office January 9, 1985 – January 6, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Howard Peterson |
| Succeeded by | Dan Fisher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 15, 1925 |
| Died | August 22, 2017 (aged 92) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Milford R. Nelson (m. 1946) |
| Children | 2 (Donna, Dennis) |
| Education | University of Nebraska–Lincoln |
| Occupation | Sales manager, bookkeeper |
Arlene B. Nelson (July 15, 1925 – August 22, 2017) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 35th district from 1985 to 1993.
Early career
Nelson was born in 1925 in Doniphan, Nebraska.[1] She graduated from Trumbull High School, and worked as a sales manager for Morton Aircraft in Omaha from 1942 to 1946, and as a bookkeeper for the Twin Rivers Company in Grand Island from 1946 to 1953.[1] From 1953 to 1982, she worked on her family farm, and in 1981 and 1982, was a delegate to the National Farmers Union conventions.[2] From 1983 to 1984, Nelson worked as a program assistant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service.[1]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1984, Nelson announced that she would challenge State Senator Howard Peterson for re-election in the 35th district, which was based in Hall County.[2] During the campaign, Nelson attacked Peterson for opposing the impeachment of state Attorney General Paul L. Douglas but abstaining on the impeachment resolution, arguing that Peterson was "playing politics."[3] In the primary election, Nelson placed first over Peterson in a landslide, receiving 62 percent of the vote to his 38 percent,[4] which observers suggested was because of Peterson's rhetoric during the impeachment debate and for seeing things "in absolutes" in the Senate.[5] In the general election, Nelson defeated Peterson by a wide margin, winning 56–44 percent.[4][6]
Nelson ran for re-election in 1988,[7] and was challenged by Hall County Supervisor Gary Quandt.[8] In the primary election, Nelson received 60 percent of the vote to Quandt's 40 percent.[9] In the general election, she defeated Quandt in a landslide, winning 60–40 percent.[9]
In 1992, Nelson ran for re-election to a third term.[10] She was challenged by businessmen Bill Bremer and Dan Fisher.[11] In the primary election, Nelson placed first, receiving 43 percent of the vote to Fisher's 32 percent and Bremer's 25 percent.[12] Nelson and Fisher advanced to the general election,[13] where Fisher defeated Nelson by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to her 41 percent.[12]
Death
Nelson died on August 22, 2017.[14]
References
- ^ a b c Fraass, Robert H., ed. (1991). Nebraska Blue Book 1991-92 (PDF). Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- ^ a b Klocksin, Molly (February 23, 1984). "Nelson to challenge Peterson". Grand Island Independent. p. 1. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Klocksin, Molly (March 15, 1984). "Peterson doesn't cast vote by says against impeachment". Grand Island Independent. p. 1. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Beermann, Allen J. (1984). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 15, 1984, General Election, November 6, 1984 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- ^ "Senate observers are buzzing". Grand Island Independent. May 18, 1984. p. 4. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Whitesides, John (November 7, 1984). "Liberals May Gain in Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. p. 14. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sen. Nelson to seek 2nd term in Unicam". Lincoln Star. December 3, 1987. p. 19. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Klocksin, Molly (January 13, 1988). "Quandt to challenge for legislative seat". Grand Island Independent. p. 1. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Beermann, Allen J. (1988). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 10, 1988, General Election, November 8, 1988 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- ^ Klocksin, Molly (January 15, 1992). "Sen. Nelson files for another legislative term". Grand Island Independent. p. 1-B. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Klocksin, Molly (May 3, 1992). "Candidates for G.I.'s senatorial seat debate". Grand Island Independent. p. 1-B. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Beermann, Allen J. (1992). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 12, 1992, General Election, November 3, 1992 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- ^ Hammel, Paul (May 13, 1992). "Incumbents Show Strength". Omaha World-Herald. p. 7. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Arlene Nelson, 92, was a two-term state senator". Omaha World-Herald. August 28, 2017. p. 5B. Retrieved March 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.