Dave Newell
Dave Newell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 13th district | |
| In office January 5, 1977 – January 9, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | George Syas |
| Succeeded by | Dan Lynch |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 14, 1946 |
| Died | June 26, 2016 (aged 69) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Arlene Paider (m. 1974) |
| Children | 2 (John, Sarah) |
| Education | Norfolk Junior College (A.A.) University of Nebraska at Omaha (B.A.) |
| Occupation | Lobbyist, real estate investor, activist |
David R. Newell (October 14, 1946 – June 26, 2016) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 13th district from 1977 to 1985.
Early life
Newell was born in Oakland, California, in 1946.[1] He graduated from Bancroft High School, and then attended Norfolk Junior College, graduating with his associate's degree in 1967.[1] Newell later attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), receiving his bachelor's degree in education in 1971.[1] He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War,[1] and upon returning, worked as an administrative assistant to the director of the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services and as a union representative for AFSCME.[2] Newell served as the president of the Nebraska Young Democrats[3] and enrolled in graduate-level coursework in history at UNO.[1]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1976, Newell challenged incumbent State Senator George Syas for re-election.[4] Syas, who represented the Omaha-based 13th district, had served since 1950 and was seeking his eleventh term in the legislature.[2] Syas placed first in the primary by a wide margin, winning 65 percent of the vote to Newell's 35 percent.[5] In the general election, however, Newell narrowly defeated Syas, winning 51–49 percent.[5][6]
Newell ran for re-election in 1980.[7] He was challenged by Syas in a rematch of their 1976 campaign, with Syas attacking Newell for being a "liberal spender" in the legislature.[8] In the primary, Newell placed first, winning 55 percent of the vote to Syas's 45 percent.[9] Newell again defeated Syas by a narrow margin in the general election, winning 51 percent of the vote to Syas's 49 percent.[9][10] He declined to seek a third term in 1984.[11]
Post-legislative career
On May 26, 1984, Newell announced that he would run for chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party to succeed DiAnna Schimek.[12] Though the race initially included Lancaster County Board Chairman Mike Johanns and Washington County Democratic Party Chairman Tom Nielsen,[12] both ultimately ended their campaigns and Newell was left as the only candidate,[13] winning the election unopposed.[14] Newell stepped down as party chair in 1985 to become a lobbyist for the Distilled Spirits Council.[15]
In 1987, Newell was appointed as the administrator of the Omaha Douglas Public Building Commission, which operated the Omaha City Hall, Douglas County Courthouse, and the building connecting the two.[16] He stepped down in 1995, saying that it was "time to move on."[17] In 1996, Newell shared that he left the commission after a female employee alleged that he had physicall harassed her, an allegation that he denied and that resulted in no formal complaint being filed.[18]
Newell was elected to the Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors from the 2nd district in 2002,[19] and was re-elected in 2006[20] and 2010.[21] In 2014, he was defeated for re-election by Brad Ashby, an information technology professional.[22]
Death
Newell was diagnosed with ALS in 2015,[23] and died on June 26, 2016.[24]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Nebraska Blue Book 1980-1981 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1981. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
- 1 2 Wirth, Eileen (October 19, 1976). "Age, Leadership Issues in 13th District Race". Omaha World-Herald. p. 9. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Ex-area man seeking seat in legislature". Fremont Tribune. March 2, 1976. p. 3. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Newell Race Starts in 13th". Omaha World-Herald. February 16, 1976. p. 2. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 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 April 10, 2026.
- ↑ Wirth, Eileen (November 3, 1976). "Newcomers Unseat Dickinson, Syas". Omaha World-Herald. p. 12. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Sen. Newell To Run Again". Omaha World-Herald. February 23, 1980. p. 18. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "George Syas Files for Seat". Omaha World-Herald. January 4, 1980. p. 6. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 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 10, 2026.
- ↑ Kelly, Michael (November 5, 1980). "GOP's Swath Nicks Senators From Metropolitan Area, Too". Omaha World-Herald. p. 37. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Schinker, Nick (March 1, 1984). "Newell Says No To Third Term". Omaha World-Herald. p. 6. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "David Newell Seeks to Lead State Democrats". Omaha World-Herald. May 27, 1984. p. 6-B. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Kotok, C. David (June 15, 1984). "Battle for Committee Slot Intense". Omaha World-Herald. p. 17. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Kerrey will head delegation to Demos' national meeting". Sunday Journal-Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. June 17, 1984. p. 4B. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Stern, Gabriella (January 27, 1985). "Democrats Say Newell Is Quitting". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1-B. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Laden, Rich (April 28, 1987). "Ex-State Senator Is Appointed To Building Post". Omaha World-Herald. p. 16. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Connolly, Cindy (June 8, 1995). "Newell Says It Is Time To Move On". Omaha World-Herald. p. 17. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Brennan, Joe (January 12, 1996). "Ex-Building Manager Newell Tells His Story". Omaha World-Herald. p. 18. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ O'Connor, Michael (November 6, 2002). "Former state senator wins board seat". Omaha World-Herald. p. 5SS. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Stickney, Veronica (November 8, 2006). "Metro's board gets two new members". Omaha World-Herald. p. 3HG. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Hansen, Matthew (November 3, 2010). "Hug ekes out win; Newell prevails". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8A. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Howard, Kate (November 5, 2014). "Voters mix old, new faces on Metro board". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8A. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Grace, Erin (April 10, 2016). "Facing death, but wanting to be able to make a choice about how and when". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1A, 10A. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Stoddard, Martha (June 28, 2016). "ALS claims a life lived in service to others". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1B. Retrieved April 10, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.