Thomas C. Kennedy
Thomas C. Kennedy | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 21st district | |
| In office December 19, 1977 – January 7, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | Keith Boughn |
| Succeeded by | Richard Peterson |
| In office January 8, 1969 – January 5, 1977 | |
| Preceded by | S. H. Brauer |
| Succeeded by | Keith Boughn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 12, 1914 |
| Died | January 20, 2006 (aged 91) |
| Spouse |
LaVern Kamrath (m. 1934) |
| Children | 3 (Joan, Bonnie, Kimberlee) |
| Occupation | Farmer/businessman |
Thomas Cain Kennedy (October 12, 1914 – January 20, 2006) was an American politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 21st district from 1969 to 1977 and again from 1977 to 1981.
Early career
Kennedy was born in Genoa, Nebraska, in 1914, and graduated from Newman Grove High School in 1933.[1][2] He was a farmer and cattle feeder, and was elected to the Newman Grove School Board.[2]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1968, Kennedy ran for the state legislature from the 21st district, which included Madison and Pierce counties, challenging incumbent State Senator S. H. Brauer for re-election.[3] In the primary election, Brauer placed first by a wide margin, receiving 62 percent of the vote to Kennedy's 38 percent.[4] They advanced to the general election, where Kennedy narrowly defeated Brauer, winning his first term, 51–49 percent.[4][5]
Kennedy ran for a second term in 1972. Following redistricting, a small portion of Platte County was added to the 21st district.[6] Kennedy's only opponent was Merle Finkral, a Norfolk Regional Center patient supervisor, who launched a write-in campaign against him one week before the primary.[7] Kennedy received 92 percent of the vote in the primary election, and Finkral received 8 percent, and 538 votes,[8] which surpassed the minimum required by state law to be officially nominated.[6] In the general election, Kennedy defeated Finkral in a landslide, receiving 72 percent of the vote to her 28 percent.[8][9]
In 1976, Kennedy declined to run for re-election, noting that his daughter, Kim, was in high school and would be splitting her time between the family's home in Newman Grove and Lincoln if he served another term.[10] Instead, he and Governor J. James Exon announced the formation of the State Health Manpower Referral Service, which was organized to help doctors set up practices in rural communities, with Kennedy serving as the executive director of the Service.[11]
Kennedy was succeeded in the legislature by Keith Boughn, who died on December 3, 1977, less than a year into his term.[12] Exon appointed Kennedy to serve until a special election could be held in 1978 to fill the remaining two years of Boughn's term.[13] Kennedy was sworn in on December 19, 1977.[14]
Kennedy ran in the special election, and was challenged by Merle Hansen, a farmer and activist associated with the American Agriculture Movement and Nebraskans For Peace.[15] Kennedy placed first in the primary election by a wide margin, winning 69 percent of the vote to Hansen's 31 percent,[16] and they advanced to the general election. He won re-election over Hansen in a landslide, receiving 71 percent to Hansen's 29 percent.[16][17]
In 1980, Kennedy announced that he would not seek re-election.[18]
Death
Kennedy died on January 20, 2006.[2]
References
- ↑ Nebraska Blue Book 1978-1979 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1979. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Loza, Josefina (January 24, 2006). "Thomas Kennedy 'a man of service'". Omaha World-Herald. p. 4B. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Newman Grove Man Is To Run For Legislature". Lincoln Star. February 24, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1968). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 14, 1968, General Election, November 5, 1968 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Five Senators From Omaha Are Re-elected". Omaha World-Herald. November 6, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Nomination Campaign Successful". Grand Island Independent. May 17, 1972. p. 32. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Valentine has write-in foe". North Platte Telegraph. May 5, 1972. p. 9. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1972). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 9, 1972, General Election, November 7, 1972 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ "County Follows Nation in Re-Electing Incumbents". Osmond Republican. November 8, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Kennedy Won't Seek 3rd Term". Lincoln Evening Journal. February 18, 1976. p. 38. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Med Manpower Office Announced". Lincoln Star. April 9, 1976. p. 10. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Sen. Boughn Is Dead at 52". Omaha World-Herald. December 8, 1977. p. 52. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Ex-State Sen. Kennedy appointed to Boughn seat". Lincoln Journal. December 16, 1977. p. 16. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ O'Donnell, Patrick J., ed. (1978). Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska: Eighty-Fifth Legislature, Second Session (PDF). Vol. 1. p. 42. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ↑ Partsch, Frank (March 12, 1978). "More Than 80 Are Running for 25 Seats in Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. p. 40. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1978). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 9, 1978, General Election, November 7, 1978 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- ↑ Carroll, Diane (November 8, 1978). "Two incumbents are defeated as 9 new state senators elected". Lincoln Journal. p. 7. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "T. C. Kennedy will not run for re-election". Lincoln Star. January 16, 1980. p. 27. Retrieved April 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.