Wikipedia

Orval Keyes

Orval Keyes (October 31, 1913 – April 29, 1991) was an American politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 3rd district from 1969 to 1981. He was initially a Republican but switched to the Democratic Party in 1973.[1]

Orval Keyes
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 3rd district
In office
January 6, 1969 – January 7, 1981
Preceded byDale Payne
Succeeded byEmil Beyer
Personal details
Born(1913-10-31)October 31, 1913
DiedApril 29, 1991(1991-04-29) (aged 77)
Gretna, Nebraska
PartyRepublican (until 1973)
Democratic (1973–1991)
Spouse
Lois Gottsch
​
(m. 1939)​
Children9
OccupationFarmer, cattle feeder

Early career

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Keyes was born in 1913, and graduated from Springfield High School in Springfield, Nebraska.[2][3] Keyes was a farmer and served as the director of several local school districts.[2]

Nebraska Legislature

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In 1968, Keyes challenged State Senator Dale Payne for re-election in the 3rd district.[4] Reed placed first in the primary, winning 41 percent of the vote to Payne's 34 percent and Keyes's 25 percent.[5][6] However, on July 24, 1968, Payne withdrew from his re-election campaign,[7] and Keyes gathered signatures to appear on the general election ballot.[8][9] Reed was seen as the frontrunner going into the election, but Keyes defeated him in a "mild upset,"[10] receiving 54 percent of the vote to Reed's 46 percent.[5]

Keyes ran for re-election in 1972. Following redistricting, the district, which previously included all of Sarpy County, was redrawn to only include western Sarpy County.[11] He was challenged by four opponents: Sarpy County Planning Commissioner Lewis Bottorff, Bellevue College student John Eating, real estate salesman Fred Krambeck, and former Papillion City Councilman Raymond Lemke.[12] In the primary election, Keyes narrowly placed first, winning 32 percent of the vote to Lemke's 28 percent.[13] In the general election, Keyes defeated Lemke, winning his second term, 54–46 percent.[13]

In 1973, Keyes switched parties, citing the state party's support for Lemke in his re-election campaign, which he said "made my stay unwelcome."[1] In doing so, Keyes suggested that he might challenge Republican Congressman John McCollister for re-election, noting that McCollister "had better be prepared."[1] However, Keyes ultimately declined to run, and endorsed Dan Lynch's campaign.[14]

Keyes ran for re-election to a third term in 1976.[15] He was challenged by Gretna School Board member Keith Barkley.[16] Keyes placed first in the primary over Barkley by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to Barkley's 41 percent.[17] In the general election, Keyes defeated Barkley, 57–43 percent.[17]

In 1980, Keyes ran for re-election to a fourth term.[18] He was challenged by Emil Beyer, a real estate investor and former member of the Papillion School Board.[19] Keyes placed first in the primary election, receiving 54 percent of the vote to Beyer's 46 percent,[20] and they advanced to the general election.[21] Beyer ultimately defeated Keyes, winning 55 percent of the vote to Keyes's 45 percent.[20][22]

1982 campaign for State Tresurer

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In 1982, Keyes announced that he would run for State Treasurer.[3] He won the Democratic nomination unopposed,[23] and faced appointed State Treasurer Kay Orr, the Republican nominee, in the general election.[24] Orr defeated Keyes in a landslide, winning 63 percent of the vote to Keyes's 37 percent.[23]

Death

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Keyes died on April 29, 1991.[25]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 Ivey, James (July 12, 1973). "State Sen. Keyes Now a Democrat". Omaha World-Herald. p. 5. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 Nebraska Blue Book 1974-1975 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1975. p. 236. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Keyes Seeks Treasurer Post". Omaha World-Herald. March 12, 1982. p. 4. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Wilson, Larry (January 28, 1968). "Political Firing Line Is Narrower This Year". Omaha World-Herald. p. 27. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1968). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 14, 1968, General Election, November 5, 1968 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Primary Vote Has Eliminated Two Senators". Omaha World-Herald. May 16, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Sen. Payne Withdraws From Race For Unicam". Lincoln Star. July 25, 1968. p. 8. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Papillion Farmer Re-enters 3d District Race 'To Win'". Omaha World-Herald. July 26, 1968. p. 5. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Who's Who in the Election". Omaha World-Herald. October 18, 1968. p. 27. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Frost, Jack (November 6, 1968). "3 Solons Could Be Ousted". Lincoln Evening Journal. p. 50. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Ivey, James (May 4, 1972). "School Property Tax Is the Big Issue in Redrawn 3rd Legislative District". Omaha World-Herald. p. 37. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Who's Who in the Primary". Omaha World-Herald. April 26, 1972. p. 58. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1972). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 9, 1972, General Election, November 7, 1972 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Sen. Keyes Backs Lynch". Omaha World-Herald. May 8, 1974. p. 5. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Howard, Edward (January 22, 1976). "Senators Reveal Election Plans". Omaha World-Herald. p. 35. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Barkley Files For Legislature". Gretna Guide and News. February 25, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1976). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 11, 1976, General Election, November 2, 1976 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Sen. Keyes Seeks A Fourth Term". Omaha World-Herald. February 16, 1980. p. 31. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "Emil Beyer Enters 3rd District Race". Omaha World-Herald. March 14, 1980. p. 6. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. 1 2 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 March 28, 2026.
  21. ↑ Partsch, Frank (May 14, 1980). "Two Incumbents Find Opponents in the Lead". Omaha World-Herald. p. 11. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ Kelly, Michael; Thompson, David (November 5, 1980). "GOP's Swath Nicks SEnators From Metropolitan Area, Too". Omaha World-Herald. p. 37. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1982). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 11, 1982, General Election, November 2, 1982 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  24. ↑ Rutledge, Kathleen (May 12, 1982). "Kay Orr didn't need consolation bouquet". Lincoln Journal. p. 18. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "Former State Sen. Keyes Dies". Omaha World-Herald. April 30, 1991. p. 1. Retrieved March 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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