Martin Kahle

Martin Kahle
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 37th district
In office
January 5, 1977 – October 2, 1984
Preceded byGary Anderson
Succeeded byJerry D. Miller
Personal details
Born(1916-04-06)April 6, 1916
DiedOctober 2, 1984(1984-10-02) (aged 68)
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
Faye Larson
​
(m. 1939)​
Children4 (Ronald, Alton, Sharilyn, LaNita)
OccupationFarmer-stockman, agribusiness

Martin Kahle (April 6, 1916 – October 2, 1984) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 37th district from 1977 until his death in 1984.

Early life

Kahle was bron in Kearney, Nebraska, in 1916.[1] He graduated from Newark High School and worked as a farmer.[1] Kahle served on the Kearney County Board of Supervisors from 1969 to 1977,[1] and was appointed by Governor J. James Exon to the Nebraska State Environmental Control Council in 1975.[2]

Nebraska Legislature

In 1976, Kahle ran for the legislature to succeed State Senator Gary Anderson in the 37th district, which included Buffalo, Franklin, Kearney, Nuckolls, and Webster counties.[3] In the nonpartisan primary, Kahle faced former State Senator Richard Ely and activist Frances Ohmstede.[4] Kahle placed first in the primary, winning 44 percent of the vote to Ely's 35 percent.[5] They both advanced to the general election, where Kahle defeated Ely, 54–46 percent.[5]

Kahle ran for a second term in 1980.[6] He faced no opponents and won his second term unopposed.[7][8]

In 1984, Kahle sought a third term, and was challenged by farmer Jerry D. Miller.[9] Kahle placed first in the primary over Miller by a wide margin, winning 65 percent of the vote to Miller's 35 percent.[10] One month prior to the general election, on October 2, 1984, Kahle died.[11] Though his name remained on the ballot, Miller won in a landslide, winning 74–26 percent.[10][12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Nebraska Blue Book 1982-1983 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1983. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Environmental Control Unit Posts Filled". Lincoln Evening Journal. July 7, 1975. p. 1. Retrieved April 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Kahle Finishes Filing For Seat in Unicameral". Kearney Hub. February 27, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved April 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Late filings assure races; other slots remain open". Superior Express. March 11, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved April 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 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 6, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Martin Kahle seeks 2nd term". Sunday Journal and Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. January 6, 1980. p. 36. Retrieved April 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ 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 6, 2026.
  8. ↑ Thompson, David (March 15, 1980). "Last-Minute Filings Assure Contests". Omaha World-Herald. p. 6. Retrieved April 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Davenport farmer seeks Kahle's Unicameral seat". Superior Express. March 22, 1984. p. 1. Retrieved April 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. 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 6, 2026.
  11. ↑ "State Senators Mourn Loss Of Kearney's Martin Kahle". Omaha World-Herald. October 4, 1984. p. 70. Retrieved April 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Miller is senator for 37th district". Kearney Hub. November 7, 1984. p. 6. Retrieved April 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.