Michael T. Avery
Michael T. Avery | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 3rd district | |
| In office January 6, 1993 – January 8, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | Emil E. Beyer |
| Succeeded by | Jon Bruning |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 15, 1952 |
| Died | August 30, 2023 (aged 71) |
| Party | Republican |
| Children | 2 (Brandon, Shawn) |
| Education | University of Nebraska–Lincoln (B.S.) |
| Occupation | Wildlife biologist |
Michael T. Avery (February 15, 1952 – August 30, 2023) was a Democratic politician who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 3rd district from 1993 to 1997.
Early life
Avery was born in Newcastle, Wyoming, and graduated from Crawford High School in Crawford, Nebraska, in 1970.[1][2] He attended the University of Nebraska, graduating with his bachelor's degree.[1][2] He worked as a fish and wildlife biologist and aquatic education coordinator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.[2]
In 1980, Avery ran for the Gretna City Council from Ward I.[3] He defeated Ruth Houser in the election, receiving 57 percent of the vote to her 43 percent.[4] He was re-elected unopposed in 1984.[5] In 1988, Avery ran for Mayor and was elected unopposed.[6]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1992, State Senator Emil E. Beyer declined to seek re-election,[7] and Avery ran to succeed him in the 3rd district,[8] which included most of Sarpy County in metropolitan Omaha. In a crowded primary,[9] former Sarpy County Planning Commissioner Lynda Thorpe placed first with 26 percent of the vote. Avery narrowly beat out businessman Bob Twiss for second place, receiving 3 votes more than Twiss,[10] which was confirmed by a recount.[11] In the general election, Avery defeated Thorpe, winning 53 percent of the vote to Thorpe's 37 percent.[10]
Avery ran for re-election in 1996 and was challenged by Richard Bellino, a businessman, and Jon Bruning, a business development consultant and attorney.[12] Avery placed first in the primary, winning 47 percent of the vote to Bruning's 39 percent and Bellino's 14 percent.[13] In the general election, the Omaha World-Herald endorsed Bruning over Avery, criticizing Avery's "relatively low profile" and his abstentions on pieces of legislation.[14] Bruning ultimately defeated Avery by a wide margin, receiving 55 percent of the vote to Avery's 45 percent.[13]
Post-legislative career
In 1998, Avery was elected to the Gretna Board of Education.[15] He was re-elected in 2002 unopposed,[16] and in 2006.[17]
Following his departure from the legislature, Avery served on the board of the Nebraska Christian Coalition.[18] In 2000, Avery led a group of voters that placed Measure 415, an initiated constitutional amendment imposing term limits on state senators,[19] on the ballot, which was ultimately ratified.[20]
In 2002, following Bruning's election as Attorney General of Nebraska, Avery applied for his vacant seat,[21] but Governor Mike Johanns ultimately appointed Ray Mossey.[22]
Avery ran for a position on the Learning Community Coordinating Council for Douglas and Sarpy counties, which oversaw the school districts within both counties.[23] He was elected in 2008,[24][25] and re-elected in 2012,[26] and 2016.[27] He did not seek re-election in 2020.
Death
Avery died in Omaha, Nebraska, on August 30, 2023.[28]
References
- ^ a b "Nebraska Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. October 29, 1992. p. 41. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Meyer, Judy A., ed. (1993). Nebraska Blue Book 1992-93 (PDF). Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "Avery Petitions For Council Seat". Gretna Guide and News. August 13, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "City Council Has Two New Members". Gretna Guide and News. November 12, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Sarpy County". Omaha World-Herald. November 7, 1984. p. 15. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Dahlheim, Gregg (November 2, 1988). "Voter registration sets record in Sarpy". Gretna Guide and News. p. 1. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gertzen, Jason (February 28, 1992). "Chizek Not Seeking Re-election; Says Political Career Isn't Over". Omaha World-Herald. p. 24. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Ivey, James; Hendee, David (March 14, 1992). "10 Candidates File For 3rd District Seat". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Ivey, James (April 13, 1992). "3rd District Race Up for Grabs". Omaha World-Herald. p. 9. Retrieved February 18, 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 February 18, 2026.
- ^ Ivey, James (June 11, 1992). "Four Close Nebraska Races Are Unchanged by Recounts". Omaha World-Herald. p. 13. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Blackwood, Kendrick (May 8, 1996). "District 3 Rivals Say Smaller Is Best". Omaha World-Herald. p. 44. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Moore, Scott (1996). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 14, 1996, General Election, November 5, 1996 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "Change Recommended in Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. October 23, 1996. p. 24. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Dahlheim, Gregg (November 2, 1988). "Voter registration sets record in Sarpy". Gretna Guide and News. p. 1. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Carnes, Michael (November 6, 2002). "Local races are decided before vote". Gretna Guide and News. p. 1. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Sloan, Karen (November 8, 2006). "Slim victory for Gretna sales tax proposal". Omaha World-Herald. p. 20. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hammel, Paul (November 4, 2000). "Voter Guide Won't Be Issued". Omaha World-Herald. p. 55. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ O'Hanlon, Kevin (April 27, 2000). "Once again, petitions seek to limit terms for state senators". Grand Island Independent. p. 6. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Voters approve same-sex marriage ban". Star-Herald. Scottsbluff, Nebraska. November 8, 2000. p. 5C. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Reed, Leslie (November 13, 2002). "Nine Republicans seek Bruning's Legislature seat". Omaha World-Herald. p. 16. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Reed, Leslie (November 15, 2002). "Bruning's seat goes to Mossey". Omaha World-Herald. p. 13. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Young, JoAnne (July 17, 2008). "Learning Council attracts ex-senators". Lincoln Journal Star. p. 1B, 2B. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gale, John A. (2008). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, General Election, November 4, 2008 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ Robb, Jeffrey (November 18, 2008). "Six spots open on learning council". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1B, 2B. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gale, John A. (2012). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, General Election, November 6, 2012 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ Gale, John A. (2016). Revised Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, General Election, November 8, 2016 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
- ^ "Avery, Michael Thomas (February 15, 1952 - August 30, 2023)". Omaha World-Herald. September 13, 2023. p. B3. Retrieved February 18, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.