Howard Peterson
Howard Peterson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 35th district | |
| In office January 7, 1981 – January 9, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Ralph Kelly |
| Succeeded by | Arlene Nelson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 22, 1914 |
| Died | November 19, 2003 (aged 89) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Jeanne Backlund (m. 1939) |
| Children | 4 (Richard, Roger, Ronald, Robert) |
| Education | Luther College University of Nebraska |
| Occupation | Loan officer |
Howard L. Peterson (March 22, 1914 – November 19, 2003) was a Republican politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 35th district from 1981 to 1985 and as the Mayor of Grand Island from 1964 to 1968.
Early life
Peterson was born in Stanton, Iowa, in 1914.[1] He graduated from Luther College, in Wahoo, Nebraska, and later attended the University of Nebraska for graduate coursework.[1] Peterson owned a fertilizer business and served as Mayor of Grand Island from 1964 to 1968.[1] From 1976 to 1977, he served as the chairman of the Great Plains Power Project, an unsuccessful. community effort to build a regional power plant.[2]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1980, Peterson announced that he would run for the state legislature to succeed State Senator Ralph Kelly in the 35th district, which was based in Hall County.[3] In the nonpartisan primary, he faced businessman Kenny Gray and attorney Glen Murray.[4] Peterson placed first in the primary by a wide margin, winning 58 percent of the vote to Gray's 24 percent and Murray's 18 percent.[5] He and Gray advanced to the general election,[6] but on September 24, 1980, Gray announced that he was suspending his campaign, citing his wife's pregnancy.[7] Peterson subsequently defeated Gray in a landslide, winning 77–23 percent.[5][8]
Peterson ran for re-election in 1984.[9] He was challenged by Arlene Nelson, a farmer and former program assistant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service.[10] Nelson criticized Peterson for abstaining on the impeachment vote for Attorney General Paul L. Douglas, which she argued was "playing politics."[11] Nelson placed first over Peterson in the primary election, winning 62 percent of the vote to his 38 percent.[12] In the general election, Peterson lost to Nelson, receiving 44 percent of the vote to her 56 percent.[12][13]
Death
Peterson died on November 19, 2003.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Nebraska Blue Book 1982-1983 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1983. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
- ^ a b Pore, Robert (November 20, 2003). "Former state Senator, G.I. Mayor Peterson dies". Grand Island Independent. p. 1-B. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Wolgamott, L. Kent (February 26, 1980). "Ex-mayor to run for Legislature". Grand Island Independent. p. 1. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Wolgamott, L. Kent (March 11, 1980). "Third contestant enters legislative race". Grand Island Independent. p. 1. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Beermann, Allen J. (1980). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 13, 1980, General Election, November 4, 1980 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
- ^ Wolgamott, L. Kent (May 14, 1980). "Peterson, Gray to vie in fall". Grand Island Independent. p. 1. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Wolgamott, L. Kent (September 24, 1980). "Kenny Gray withdraws from Unicameral race". Grand Island Independent. p. 2. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Unicameral Races Close; Keyes, Reutzel Lose Out". Alliance Times-Herald. November 5, 1980. p. 3. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Barrette, John (March 2, 1984). "3 State Senators Aren't Running". Omaha World-Herald. p. 40. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Klocksin, Molly (February 23, 1984). "Nelson to challenge Peterson". Grand Island Independent. p. 1. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Klocksin, Molly (March 15, 1984). "Peterson doesn't cast vote by says against impeachment". Grand Island Independent. p. 1. Retrieved April 10, 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 April 10, 2026.
- ^ Whitesides, John (November 7, 1984). "Liberals May Gain in Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. p. 14. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.