Mervin Bedford
Mervin Bedford | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 23rd district | |
| In office January 4, 1955 – January 6, 1959 | |
| Preceded by | C. C. Lillibridge |
| Succeeded by | Joe Vosoba |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 14, 1902 |
| Died | October 29, 1960 (aged 58) near Shickley, Nebraska |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Zelma Willmore
(m. 1929; died 1956) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Creighton University |
| Occupation | Druggist, automobile dealer |
Mervin V. Bedford (February 14, 1902 – October 29, 1960) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 23rd district from 1955 to 1959.
Early life
Bedford was born in Bee, Nebraska, in 1902, and graduated from Geneva High School.[1] He attended Creighton University, and worked as a businessman in Geneva, owning and operating an automobile and implement dealership.[1][2]
In 1940, Bedford was nominated by the Geneva Township Democratic Caucus as its candidate for justice of the peace,[3] but he was defeated by the Republican nominee, Eric Johnson.[4]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1954, Bedford ran for the state legislature from the 23rd district.[2] Incumbent State Senator C. C. Lillibridge announced that he would not seek re-election to a fifth term, citing "health conditions,"[5] but Lillibridge abruptly entered the race after newspaper publisher Wallace Weeks, who had announced his candidacy, ended his campaign.[6] In the nonpartisan primary, Bedford narrowly placed second, winning 39 percent of the vote and finishing 2 votes behind Lillibridge,[7] and they advanced to the general election.[8]
The general election between Lillibridge and Bedford was close, and the election night results showed Lillibridge losing to Bedford by fewer than 20 votes.[9] The official results concluded that Bedford defeated Lillibridge by 9 votes,[7] and Lillibridge contested the result, seeking a recount before the legislature.[10] Bedford was preliminarily seated by the legislature while the votes were recounted.[11] The recount ultimately showed that Bedford defeated Lillibridge by 31 votes.[12]
Bedford ran for re-election in 1956,[13] and was challenged by Tobias School Board member and farmer Harry Miller and Francis Craig.[14][15] Bedford placed first in the primary by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to Miller's 24 percent and Craig's 17 percent.[16] He and Miller advanced to the general election,[14] which Bedford won, receiving 61 percent of the vote to Miller's 39 percent.[16]
In 1958, Bedford ran for a third term.[17] He was challenged by Deputy Saline County Attorney Joe Vosoba,[18] a fellow Democrat.[19] Vosoba placed first in the primary, receiving 64 percent of the vote to Bedford's 36 percent.[20] In the general election, Vosoba defeated Bedford in a landslide, winning 66–34 percent.[20][21]
Death
Bedford died on October 29, 1960.[22]
References
- 1 2 Nebraska Blue Book 1956 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1957. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- 1 2 "Geneva Man Files For Legislature". Lincoln Star. June 23, 1954. p. 15. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Democratic Caucus". Nebraska Signal. Geneva, Nebraska. October 10, 1940. p. 7. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Vote in Fillmore County: Result of the Official Canvass of the Ballots Cast in the Election November 5, 1940". Nebraska Signal. Geneva, Nebraska. November 14, 1940. p. 4. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Lillibridge Will Not Contest for 5th Term". Omaha World-Herald. June 30, 1954. p. 7. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Candidates Barely Beat Deadline". Lincoln Evening Journal. July 2, 1954. p. 11. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1954). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, August 10, 1954, General Election, November 2, 1954 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Hospital Bonds Defeated By Small Margin". Nebraska Signal. Geneva, Nebraska. August 12, 1954. p. 1. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Donovan, Arch (November 4, 1954). "Incumbent Legislative Members Fare Fairly Well". Lincoln Star. p. 30. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Vote Recount Not for Fraud". Omaha World-Herald. November 24, 1954. p. 12. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Clerks Will Begin Recount Vote Friday". Lincoln Evening Journal. January 6, 1955. p. 7. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Thomas, Clarke (January 10, 1955). "Bedford Officially Beats Lillibridge". Lincoln Evening Journal. p. 1. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Sen. Bedford Files". Lincoln Evening Journal. January 18, 1956. p. 5. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Light Vote at Tuesday Primary". Nebraska Signal. May 17, 1956. p. 1, 3. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Candidates for State Senate". Hastings Daily Tribune. October 31, 1956. p. 10. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1956). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 15, 1956, General Election, November 6, 1956 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ "Senator Bedford Files For State Legislature". Hastings Daily Tribune. January 11, 1958. p. 11. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Candidates in 11 Legislative Districts Listed". Lincoln Evening Journal. May 8, 1958. p. 10. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Balloting In County Is Light Except At Wilber". DeWitt Times-News. May 15, 1958. p. 46027. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1958). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 13, 1958, General Election, November 4, 1958 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ↑ Person, Betty (November 6, 1958). "27 Incumbents Return To Unicam; Dean Of Solons Trails; 3 In Doubt". Lincoln Star. p. 31. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Mervin Bedford, Former Lawmaker, Dies at Farm". Nebraska Signal. Geneva, Nebraska. November 3, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved May 2, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.