Wikipedia

Richard Peterson (Nebraska politician)

Richard Peterson (December 3, 1928 – March 30, 2020) was a Republican politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 21st district from 1981 to 1993.

Richard Peterson
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 21st district
In office
January 7, 1981 – January 6, 1993
Preceded byThomas C. Kennedy
Succeeded byCarol Hudkins (redistricted)
Personal details
Born(1928-12-03)December 3, 1928
Meadow Grove, Nebraska
DiedMarch 30, 2020(2020-03-30) (aged 91)
Madison, Nebraska
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Kathryn Kuhl
​
(m. 1950)​
Children5 (Michael, Sandra, Karen, Julie, Richard)
OccupationFarmer, businessman, beekeeper

Early life

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Peterson was born in Meadow Grove, Nebraska in 1928, and graduated from Madison High School in 1946.[1] He was a farmer and beekeeper in Norfolk.[1]

Nebraska Legislature

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In 1980, State Senator Thomas C. Kennedy declined to seek re-election.[2] Peterson ran to succeed him in the 21st district, which was based in Madison and Pierce counties.[3] In the nonpartisan primary, he faced businessman Paul McIntosh and former Madison County Judge R. Bruce Penning.[4] McIntosh narrowly placed first in the primary, receiving 37 percent of the vote to Peterson's 36 percent and Henning's 27 percent,[5] and McIntosh and Peterson advanced to the general election.[6] Peterson ultimately defeated McIntosh, winning 54 percent of the vote to McIntosh's 46 percent.[5][7]

Peterson ran for re-election to a second term in 1984.[8] He was challenged by J. R. Peterson, a state highway department engineer, and Steven Liewer, a carpenter.[9][10] Senator Peterson placed first in the primary by a wide margin, receiving 74 percent of the vote to J. R. Peterson's 17 percent and Liewer's 9 percent.[11] They advanced to the general election,[12] where Peterson won re-election, 75–25 percent.[11][13]

In 1988, Peterson ran for re-election to a third term.[14] He was challenged by J. R. Peterson, in a rematch of their 1984 campaign,[15] and stockbroker T. Patrick Stinson.[16] In the primary election, Senator Peterson placed first, receiving 56 percent of the vote to Stinson's 33 percent,[17] with Peterson and Stinson advancing to the general election.[18] In the general election, Peterson declined to debate Stinson, stating that he "ha[s] never felt debates proved anything," but Stinson attacked him for his refusal, arguing, "He knows that opening dialogue is going to cause him some grief."[19] Peterson ultimately defeated Stinson, winning re-election 59–41 percent.[17][20]

Following redistricting in 1992, the 21st district was originally abolished, and Peterson declined to seek re-election. On July 2, 1992, the Nebraska Supreme Court struck down the state's new redistricting plan,[21] resulting in the recreation of a Madison County-based district, numbered the 19th district.[22] Peterson did not revisit his decision to not seek re-election,[23] and was succeeded by Connie Day in the 19th district.[24]

Death

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Peterson died on March 30, 2020.[25]

References

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  1. 1 2 Fraass, Robert H., ed. (1991). Nebraska Blue Book 1991-92 (PDF). Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. p. 263. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  2. ↑ "T. C. Kennedy will not run for re-election". Lincoln Star. January 16, 1980. p. 27. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Norfolk man seeks Unicam seat". Lincoln Star. February 23, 1980. p. 9. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "20 State Senators Have Opposition In Primary". Alliance Times-Herald. May 5, 1980. p. 4. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 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 April 19, 2026.
  6. ↑ Joyce, James (May 15, 1980). "Most legislators coast; Fowler, Merz in trouble". Lincoln Star. p. 6. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Wolgamott, L. Kent (November 5, 1980). "Republicans to dominate non-partisan Unicameral". Grand Island Independent. p. 3. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Norfolk Legislator Seeks Second Term". Omaha World-Herald. February 1, 1984. p. 45. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Norfolk Man Files For 21st District". Alliance Times-Herald. March 15, 1984. p. 10. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ Barrette, John (September 24, 1984). "Some Legislative Candidates Key On Schools, Property Tax Relief". Omaha World-Herald. p. 32. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 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 19, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Sen. Clarence Jacobson eliminated in 33rd District race". Lincoln Journal. May 16, 1984. p. 33. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Opponents unseat conservative senators". York News-Times. November 7, 1984. p. 8. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Peterson Will Run For Another Term". Omaha World-Herald. February 13, 1988. p. 18. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "J.R. Peterson seeks seat in Legislature". Lincoln Journal. March 3, 1988. p. 18. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Norfolk stockbroker to run for Legislature". Lincoln Journal. January 11, 1988. p. 13. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1988). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 10, 1988, General Election, November 8, 1988 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
  18. ↑ Cordes, Henry J. (May 11, 1988). "Incumbents in Legislature Find Success". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ Cordes, Henry J. (October 11, 1988). "Challenger: Lawmaker's Silence Is Issue". Omaha World-Herald. p. 17. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ Yuh, Mary (November 9, 1988). "Returns Indicate Trouble for Some Outstate Legislators". Omaha World-Herald. p. 13. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ Cordes, Henry J. (July 5, 1992). "Politics Had Role in Redistricting Decision". Omaha World-Herald. p. B1. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Dust settles, redistricting process moves ahead". Beatrice Daily Sun. August 14, 1992. p. 3. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ "Peterson won't seek new term". Beatrice Daily Sun. July 6, 1992. p. 3. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ Joyce, James (November 5, 1992). "Turnover in Legislature biggest in recent memory". Lincoln Star. p. 46026. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. ↑ "Rites set for longtime state senator". Norfolk Daily News. April 9, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
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