John Savage (Nebraska politician)

John Savage (June 25, 1905  June 19, 1989) was a Republican politician and photojournalist from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 10th district from 1971 to 1979.

John Savage
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 10th district
In office
January 5, 1971  January 3, 1979
Preceded byClifton Batchelder
Succeeded byCarol McBride Pirsch
Personal details
Born(1905-06-25)June 25, 1905
DiedJune 19, 1989(1989-06-19) (aged 83)
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Marie M. Schofield
(m. 1930)
Children2
EducationUniversity of Nebraska
OccupationPhotographer and reporter

Early life

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Savage was born in Denver, Colorado, in 1905, and grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, graduating from Technical High School.[1][2] He attended the University of Nebraska and was a pre-med student, but did not graduate.[2] While at the University of Nebraska, he was a copy messenger of the Lincoln Journal and then worked for the Bee-News and the Omaha World-Herald as a photojournalist.[2] He retired in 1970.[2]

Nebraska Legislature

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In 1970, State Senator Clifton Batchelder opted to run for Governor rather than seek re-election, and Savage ran to succeed him in the Omaha-based 10th district.[3] In the nonpartisan primary, he faced attorney and former deputy county assessor Samuel Boyer, federal prosecutor Richard Edgerton, insurance agent Bud Reed, and lawyer Steve Stevens.[4] Savage placed first in the primary winning 30 percent of the vote to Edgerton's 25 percent,[5] and they both advanced to the general election.[6] Savage ultimately defeated Edgerton, winning his first term 54–46 percent.[5][7]

Savage ran for re-election in 1974.[8] He was challenged by Michael O'Connor, a college student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and engineer August Allen.[9] In the primary election, Savage placed first, winning 54 percent of the vote to O'Connor's 36 percent and Allen's 10 percent.[10] He and O'Connor advanced to the general election, where he won his second term, 58–42 percent.[10][11]

He declined to seek re-election in 1978, citing in part the low legislative pay.[12]

Death

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Savage died on June 19, 1989.[2]

References

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  1. Nebraska Blue Book 1972 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1973. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Photographer John Savage Dead at 83". Omaha World-Herald. June 20, 1989. p. 13. Retrieved April 16, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "John Savage Files for 10th District Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. February 27, 1970. p. 15. Retrieved April 16, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Who's Who In the May 12 Primary Election". Omaha World-Herald. May 6, 1970. p. 15. Retrieved April 16, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1970). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 12, 1970, General Election, November 3, 1970 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  6. "Incumbent Senators Roughed by Voters". Omaha World-Herald. May 13, 1970. p. 78. Retrieved April 16, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  7. "McCollister Moves Up to Congress". Omaha World-Herald. November 8, 1970. p. 12. Retrieved April 16, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "John S. Savage Files for Office". Omaha World-Herald. January 19, 1974. p. 2. Retrieved April 16, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  9. LaRue, Larry (May 7, 1974). "10th District Issues: Age and Experience". Omaha World-Herald. p. 28. Retrieved April 16, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1974). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 14, 1974, General Election, November 5, 1974 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  11. Bresette, James (November 6, 1974). "Omaha's Incumbents Get Return Tickets". Omaha World-Herald. p. 57. Retrieved April 16, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  12. Beeder, David (December 25, 1977). "Salary Too Low, Say Legisaltors Who Will Retire". Omaha World-Herald. p. 31. Retrieved April 16, 2026 via Newspapers.com.