John E. Knight

John Knight
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 26th district
In office
January 5, 1965 – January 5, 1971
Preceded byFred Gottschalk (redistricted)
Succeeded byWally Barnett
Personal details
Born(1925-05-14)May 14, 1925
Lincoln, Nebraska
DiedJanuary 13, 1999(1999-01-13) (aged 73)
Sun City, Arizona
Spouse
Ruth Irene Bintz
​
(m. 1946)​
Children4 (Kristine Louise, Mary Jo, Barbara Jean, Jan Elizabeth)
Parent
EducationNebraska Wesleyan University
Garrett School of Theology
University of Nebraska
OccupationMinister, teacher, coach

John E. Knight (May 14, 1925 – January 13, 1999) was an American politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 26th district from 1965 to 1971.

Early life

Knight was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1925, and graduated from Lincoln Northeast High School.[1] He graduated from the Nebraska Wesleyan University and the Garrett School of Theology, and completed graduate coursework at the University of Nebraska.[1] Knight was an ordained Methodist minister and an insurance agent, owning and operating the Gates-Knight Insurance Agency.[1][2]

Nebraska Legislature

In 1964, following redistricting, Knight ran for the state legislature from the 26th district, which was based in Lancaster County.[3] Knight ran in a crowded field in the nonpartisan primary, and faced machinist L. K. Emry, former State Senator Henry Heiliger, tavern manager James Studnicka, real estate broker William Swearingen, attorney David Thomas, and real estate agent Charles Wilcox.[4] Knight placed first in the primary, winning 39 percent of the vote to Studnicka's 20 percent,[5] Knight and Studnicka advanced to the general election,[6] where Knight won by a wide margin, receiving 59 percent of the vote to Studnicka's 41 percent.[5][7] Though members of the state legislature were elected in nonpartisan races, Knight was a registered Republican.[8]

Knight ran for re-election in 1966.[9] He was challenged by retired postal clerk Rudolph Anderson and transmission worker Eugene Newburn.[10] Knight placed first in the primary election by a wide margin, winning 78 percent of the vote to Anderson's 13 percent and Newburn's 9 percent.[11] Knight and Anderson advanced to the general election,[12] where Knight won re-election in a landslide, winning 75 percent of the vote.[11][13]

In 1970, Knight declined to seek re-election to a third term, citing the "increased demands of business interests."[14]

Post-legislative career

In 1979, Governor Charles Thone appointed Knight as the director of the state Department of Welfare.[15] He was appointed Thone's chief of staff in 1981, and relocated to Sun City, Arizona, in 1987 with his wife.[2]

Death

Knight died on January 13, 1999.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Nebraska Blue Book 1968 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1969. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "John Knight, State Senator In 1960s, Dies". Omaha World-Herald. January 17, 1999. p. 3-B. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Lancaster Unicam Seats Get Six More Filings". Lincoln Star. March 14, 1964. p. 3. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Walton, Don (April 23, 1964). "7 Candidates Competing For 26th Legislative District Seat". Lincoln Star. p. 18. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1964). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 12, 1964, General Election, November 3, 1964 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  6. ↑ "One Lancaster Legislative Contest Remains In Doubt". Lincoln Star. May 13, 1964. p. 3. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Bauer Springs Surprise in County Race; Trips Luedtke". Lincoln Evening Journal. November 4, 1964. p. 14. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Jockeying for Legislative Posts Is Sub Rosa Agenda of Council Session". Lincoln Star. November 27, 1966. p. 14. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Knight Seeking A Second Term In Legislature". Lincoln Evening Journal. March 11, 1966. p. 11. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Two Challenge 26th Dist. Incumbent". Lincoln Evening Journal. May 6, 1966. p. 26. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1966). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 10, 1966, General Election, November 8, 1966 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Knight, Wilcox Winners". Lincoln Evening Journal. May 11, 1966. p. 16. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Knight, Luedtke, Simpson Lead In Legislative Tests". Lincoln Star. November 9, 1966. p. 3. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Sen. Knight Won't Seek Re-election". North Platte Telegraph. January 14, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Corrections, tax chiefs among 4 posts filled". Lincoln Star. February 10, 1979. p. 5. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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