Edward Zorinsky
| Edward Zorinsky | |
|---|---|
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United States Senator from Nebraska |
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In office December 28, 1976 – March 6, 1987 |
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| Preceded by | Roman Hruska |
| Succeeded by | David Karnes |
| Mayor of Omaha | |
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In office 1973–1976 |
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| Preceded by | Eugene A. Leahy |
| Succeeded by | Robert Cunningham |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
November 11, 1928 Omaha, Nebraska |
| Died | March 6, 1987 (aged 58) Omaha, Nebraska |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party |
Republican (c. 1946-1976) Democratic (1976-1987) |
| Spouse(s) | Cecile "Cece" Rottman |
| Alma mater |
University of Minnesota Creighton University University of Nebraska Harvard University |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1949-1962 |
| Unit | Reserves |
Edward Zorinsky (November 11, 1928 – March 6, 1987) was an American politician. A Democrat, he served as a U.S. Senator from Nebraska from 1976 until his death from a heart attack in Omaha, Nebraska in 1987. He was the first Jew elected to statewide office in Nebraska.
Edward Zorinsky was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He received his early education at Saunders and Rosehill elementary schools in his native city, and graduated from Central High School in 1945. He attended the University of Minnesota (1945-1946) and Creighton University (1946-1948) before completing his studies at the University of Nebraska, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and zoology in 1949.
For twenty-three years, Zorinsky worked in the wholesale tobacco and candy business. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1949 to 1962. He enrolled at Harvard University in 1966 to pursue his graduate work, and later served as a member of the Nebraska Judicial Qualifications Commission (1968-1971) and of the Board of Directors for Omaha Public Power District (1969-1973). From 1973 to 1977, he served as Mayor of Omaha. He earned a great deal of popularity due to his response to a blizzard and a series of tornadoes that hit Omaha in 1975.
In 1976, Zorinsky, a hitherto lifelong Republican, decided to run for the U.S. Senate after 22-year incumbent Roman Hruska decided not to seek re-election. However, when it became apparent he would not win the Republican nomination, he switched parties and became a Democrat. He defeated Hess Dyas, a former state party chairman, for the Democratic nomination. In the general election, he defeated U.S. Representative John Y. McCollister by a margin of 53%-47%. With his victory, he became the first Democratic Senator elected from Nebraska since 1934 and the first Jewish person ever to win a statewide election in Nebraska.
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