Peter H. Claussen

Peter H. Claussen
Member of the Nebraska Legislature
In office
January 1, 1957 – January 3, 1967
Preceded byLenhart Shultz
Succeeded byWilliam Hasebroock
Constituency16th district (1957–1963)
18th district (1965–1967)
Member of the Nebraska House of Representatives from the 44th district
In office
January 1, 1935 – January 5, 1937
Preceded byPaul Bruveleit
Succeeded byPosition abolished
Personal details
Born(1894-12-30)December 30, 1894
Leigh, Nebraska
DiedApril 15, 1990(1990-04-15) (aged 95)
Clarkson, Nebraska
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
Elsie M. Dasenbrock
​
(m. 1919)​
Children2
OccupationFarmer

Peter H. Claussen (December 30, 1894 – April 15, 1990) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served in the Nebraska Legislature, representing the 44th district in the Nebraska House of Representatives from 1935 to 1937, and representing the 16th and 18th districts in the unicameral legislature.

Early life

Claussen was born in Leigh, Nebraska, in 1894.[1] He was a farmer, and served on the Leigh School Board and on the Stanton County Soil Conservation District.[1]

Nebraska House of Representatives

In 1934, Claussen challenged incumbent State Representative Paul Bruveleit for re-election in the 44th district, which was based in Stanton County. He narrowly won the Democratic primary, receiving 32 percent of the vote to Elmer Loe's 26 percent, Bruveleit's 25 percent, and Arthur Peterson's 18 percent.[2] In the general election, he faced Republican nominee Irvin Freiberg,[3] and won by a wide margin, winning 60 percent of the vote to Freiberg's 40 percent.[4]

Nebraska Unicameral Legislature

Following the consolidation of the House of Representatives and Senate into the unicameral legislature, Claussen ran for the legislature from the 16th district, which included Colfax, Stanton, and Wayne counties.[5] In the nonpartisan primary, he faced fellow state representatives Emil Brodecky and Otto Weber, former State Representative Albert Fickler, Adolph Dudek, and J. G. W. Lewis.[6] Claussen placed a distant fifth in the primary, winning 11 percent of the vote to Lewis's 24 percent and Brodecky's 23 percent.[7]

In 1956, Claussen ran for the legislature again, challenging incumbent State Senator Lenhart Shultz for re-election in the 16th district.[8] In the primary election, Claussen narrowly placed third, receiving 30 percent of the vote to farmer Albert Watson's 35 percent and Shultz's 35 percent.[9] However, two months before the general election, Shultz dropped out of the race, citing a need to attend to his business interests, and Claussen replaced him on the general election ballot.[10] Claussen ultimately defeated Watson by a wide margin, winning 59 percent of the vote to his 41 percent.[9]

Claussen ran for re-election in 1958.[11] No candidates originally filed to run against him,[12] but former State Representative Otto Weber filed to run against him as a write-in candidate.[13] Claussen received 92 percent of the vote in the primary, while Weber received 253 votes and 8 percent of the vote.[14] Weber did not receive enough votes to advance to the general election,[15] and Claussen was re-elected unopposed.[14]

In 1960, Claussen ran for a third term,[16] and was challenged by former State Senator Lenhart Shultz and Clarence Schroeder.[17][18] In the primary election, Claussen placed second, winning 33 percent of the vote to Schroeder's 42 percent and Shultz's 25 percent,[19] and Claussen and Schroeder advanced to the general election. On election night, Claussen led Schroeder by 4 votes, and after the mail ballots were counted, his lead expanded to 22 votes.[20] Following a canvass of the results, Claussen's victory over Schroeder narrowed further to 12 votes, and he was declared the winner.[21][19]

Claussen ran for re-election to a fourth term in 1962,[22] and was challenged by Lyle Marotz, a director of the Wayne County Public Power District,[23] and Anton Odvarka Jr., the former editor of the Colfax County Press.[24] Claussen placed first in the primary, receiving 51 percent of the vote to Marotz's 30 percent and Odvarka's 19 percent.[25] Claussen and Marotz advanced to the general election,[26] which Claussen ultimately won with 58 percent of the vote.[25]

In 1964, following redistricting, Claussen ran for re-election in the 18th district, which swapped out Pierce County for Colfax County.[27] He was challenged by Marotz, in a rematch of their 1962 race; Melvin Kruse, the Pierce County District Court Clerk; and nursing home operator Clifford Dahl.[28][29][30] Claussen narrowly placed first in the primary, winning 31 percent of the vote to Marotz's 29 percent.[31][32] In the general election, Claussen defeated Marotz, winning re-election, 53–47 percent.[31]

After the state legislature was expanded to 49 members, the 18th district was redrawn to include Colfax, Cuming, and Stanton counties. Claussen was drawn into the same district as fellow State Senator William Hasebroock,[33] and ultimately decided to seek another term.[34] In the primary, he faced Hasebroock and farmer Frank Cada,[35] Claussen placed third, winning 22 percent of the vote to Hasebroock's 47 percent and Cade's 31 percent, and was defeated.[36][37]

Death

Claussen died on April 15, 1990.[38]

References

  1. 1 2 Nebraska Blue Book 1964 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1965. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  2. ↑ Swanson, Harry R. (1934). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, Held August 14, 1934 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Nominations for House and Senate". Norfolk Daily News. August 18, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Swanson, Harry R. (1934). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, General Election, Held November 6, 1934 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Leigh Farmer Files for New Legislature". Leigh World. October 4, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Seven in Race for Legislative Seat". Norfolk Daily News. August 18, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Brodecky and Lewis Nominated for Legislature; Burke is Committeeman". Howells Journal. April 17, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Peter Claussen, 61 Files For Legislature". Pilger Enterprise. April 11, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. 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 17, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Shultz Drops Fight for Legislature". Lincoln Evening Journal. September 4, 1956. p. 2. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Claussen Is Candidate For Another Term In State Legislature". Schuyler Sun. October 24, 1957. p. 5. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Still Lively Interest in Legislative Races". Holdrege Daily Citizen. March 29, 1958. p. 8. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Heckman, Pimper Win Commissioner Primary". Schuyler Sun. May 15, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. 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 17, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Write-In Effort For Weber Failed, Final Count Shows". Llincoln Star. May 23, 1958. p. 13. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Peter Claussen Plans To Seek Re-Election". Wayne Herald. October 8, 1959. p. 6. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "DC Man In Congress Race; Shultz Files In Congress Race". Schuyler Sun. February 25, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Hoskins Man Enters Race for Unicameral". Wayne Herald. March 10, 1960. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1960). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 10, 1960, General Election, November 8, 1960 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Peter H. Claussen Wins By 22 Votes". Schuyler Sun. November 17, 1960. p. 3. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Nebraska Vote Second Largest In History; 72 Percent Ballot". Alliance Times-Herald. November 28, 1960. p. 7. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Beermann Files For First Dist. Congress Seat". Schuyler Sun. December 14, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ "Lyle Marotz of Hoskins Throws Hat in 16th District Ring for State Legislature". Stanton Register. December 28, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "Odvarka Bids For Post In Legislature". Fremont Guide and Tribune. January 12, 1962. p. 11. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1962). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 15, 1962, General Election, November 6, 1962 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved May 17, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Vote Tallies "Normal" for Primary; Most Incumbents Remain in Command". Stanton Register. May 17, 1962. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ "Claussen, Danner Seek Re-Election". Lincoln Star. January 21, 1964. p. 9. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ Snodgrass, Del (February 16, 1964). "Races for Legislature Feel Little Increase of Interest". Lincoln Sunday Journal and Star. p. 2B. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "Kruse Will Run In 18th District". Lincoln Evening Journal. January 9, 1964. p. 11. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "Clifford Dahl Is Fourth Filing For Legislature". Pierce County Leader. Pierce, Nebraska. February 20, 1964. p. 11. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. 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 May 17, 2026.
  32. ↑ Person, Betty (May 14, 1964). "16 Incumbent Senators Nominated Easily, One Defeated". Lincoln Star. p. 19. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ Herman, Dick (February 6, 1966). "Legislature to Change Little, Barring At-Large Election". Lincoln Evening Journal. p. 11. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ "P. H. Claussen Files For Re-election". Cuming County Democrat. West Point, Nebraska. March 3, 1966. p. 9. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ "Frank J. Cada files for State Legislature". Schuyler Sun. March 17, 1966. p. 5. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ↑ "Russillo Bid Leads Field". Omaha World-Herald. May 11, 1966. p. 14. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ 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 May 17, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Ex-Legislator Dies; Served in Two Eras". Omaha World-Herald. April 17, 1990. p. 10. Retrieved May 17, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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