Walter R. Raecke

Walter R. Raecke
6th Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature
In office
1947–1948
Preceded byC. Petrus Peterson
Succeeded byEarl J. Lee
Chair of the Executive Board of the Nebraska Legislature
In office
1945–1947
Preceded byStanley A. Matzke
Succeeded byFred A. Seaton
Member of the Nebraska Legislature
from the 30th district
In office
1941–1949
Preceded byAlva M. Johnston
Succeeded byLouis A. Holmes
Personal details
Born(1895-10-17)October 17, 1895
Grand Island, Nebraska, U.S.
DiedApril 9, 1960(1960-04-09) (aged 64)
Grand Island, Nebraska, U.S.
PartyDemocratic

Walter R. Raecke (October 17, 1895 – April 9, 1960) was an American Democratic party politician, lawyer, and public servant. He served as Speaker of the unicameral Nebraska Legislature in 1947 and ran twice unsuccessfully for Governor of Nebraska in 1950 and 1952.[1]

Early life

Walter Raecke was born on October 17, 1895,[2] in Grand Island, Nebraska, but moved with his parents to a Merrick County farm when he was just 18 months old.[3] He attended Central City High School, graduating in 1913,[4] and the University of Nebraska where he received a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1917.[2] Raecke served in World War I as a second lieutenant.[2]

Career

Raecke began his political career at age 24 in 1919 by serving simultaneously as the city attorney for Central City, Nebraska, and the county attorney for Merrick County, Nebraska.[2] He served as city attorney until 1932 and county attorney until 1935.[2][5] In 1932, Raecke announced that he would run as a Democrat for Nebraska Attorney General, but his candidacy did not reach the general election that year.[4][6] In 1937 and for a number of years thereafter, Raecke served on the Central City Board of Education.[7][3]

In 1940, Raecke ran for a seat representing what was then District 30 in the Nebraska Legislature.[3] He won the race and went on to serve in the legislature for eight years, spanning four regular and two special sessions.[7] In 1945, Raecke was chosen by his colleagues in the legislature to be the chair of its executive board, which was then called the Legislative Council.[7] In 1947, he was elected as the sixth speaker of the Nebraska Legislature.[7][8] While the votes were being counted in his election as speaker, his chair on the legislature floor suddenly broke and he almost fell to the floor.[8]

Raecke decided to pursue the governorship of Nebraska in 1950, entering a crowded Democratic primary field including former US Representative Terry Carpenter and future Nebraska Governor Frank B. Morrison. Raecke won the primary and went on to be the Democratic nominee for governor,[9] but he lost the general election to incumbent governor Val Peterson in November.[10] In 1952, Raecke initially did not want to run for governor and did not submit his name to the state Democratic convention for consideration.[11] However, he received overwhelming support from the delegates and thus decided to run for governor again, winning the Democratic primary easily.[12] He faced Republican Robert B. Crosby, who was also a former speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, in the general election but was once again defeated.[13][5][1]

There was some speculation that Raecke may try to run for governor a third time in 1954, but he declined.[14]

In his later years, Raecke served as the Nebraska representative on the board of directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, including as its chairman in 1958 and 1959.[15]

Personal life

Raecke married Orral J. Young on November 16, 1921, and they had three children.[2] Raecke was a member of his local masonic lodge in Central City and also served as an elder and superintendent of Sunday school at First Presbyterian Church of Central City.[4]

Raecke passed away on April 9, 1960, in Grand Island, Nebraska, of a heart attack.[7][5]

References

  1. ^ a b "Walter Raecke's Funeral Tuesday". The York Daily News-Times. April 11, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f State of Nebraska (1942). "1942 Nebraska Blue Book" (PDF). Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "Walter Raecke Filed Last Thursday for Unicameral Legislature". Central City Republican-Nonpareil. March 7, 1940. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "Walter R. Raecke to Enter Race for Nebraska Attorney General". Central City Nonpareil. February 11, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  5. ^ a b c "Walter Raecke Dies". The Clarks News. April 14, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  6. ^ "Walter R. Raecke for Attorney General". Sherman County Times. April 1, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Demo Leader Walter Raecke Dies; Funeral Wednesday". Fremont Tribune. April 11, 1960. p. 3. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  8. ^ a b "New Speaker Walter Raecke". Omaha World-Herald. January 8, 1947. p. 2. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  9. ^ "One More River to Cross". Columbus Telegram. August 14, 1950. p. 4. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  10. ^ "Peterson Reveals Disappointment On Road Rebuff". The McCook Daily Gazette. November 8, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  11. ^ "Walter Raecke Is a Reluctant Candidate". North Bend Eagle. March 6, 1952. p. 2. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  12. ^ "Raecke's Candidacy Again Centers Political Limelight on Central". Central City Nonpareil. March 27, 1952. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  13. ^ "Democrats Lose Best Chance in Governor Race When Walter Raecke Withdraws Name". Scottsbluff Star-Herald. March 25, 1958. p. 2. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  14. ^ "Walter Raecke Will Not Be Candidate in Primaries". Central City Republican-Nonpareil. June 24, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
  15. ^ "Walter Raecke Again Chairman of Board". Central City Republican-Nonpareil. January 1, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
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