Chris Abboud
Chris Abboud | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 12th district | |
| In office January 5, 1983 – November 16, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Jerry Koch |
| Succeeded by | Pam Redfield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 29, 1956 |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | Creighton University (B.A.) University of Nebraska College of Law (J.D.) |
| Occupation | Attorney |
Chris Abboud (born August 29, 1956) is a Republican politician from Nebraska and attorney who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 12th district from 1983 to 1998.
Early life
[edit]Abboud was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1956,[1] and grew up in Ralston.[2] He attended Seymour Elementary School, Ralston Middle School, and Creighton Preparatory School. Abboud's father, Fred Abboud, was a member of the Ralston City Council from 1962 to 1966, and his mother, Bonnie Abboud, ran for mayor in 1980.[2]
Nebraska Legislature
[edit]In 1982, while Abboud was in his third year of law school, he ran for the Nebraska Legislature in the 12th district against incumbent State Senator Jerry Koch.[2] In the nonpartisan primary, he placed second, winning 38 percent of the vote to Koch's 46 percent, hospital administrator John Hurley's 9 percent, and perennial candidate Donald James Jensen's 7 percent.[3][4] He and Koch advanced to the general election,[5] where Abboud narrowly defeated Koch, 52–48 percent.[3][6]
During his first term in the legislature, Abboud started a law firm with his younger brother, Greg, and contemplated not seeking re-election to focus on his legal practice.[7] However, he ultimately decided to do so, citing his desire to "continue to be one of the leading fiscal conservatives" in the legislature.[8] Koch, who was elected mayor of Ralston after losing to Abboud in 1982, challenged him for re-election, as did technology analyst Gene Gerdes and machinist Ronald Hug.[9] In the primary election, Abboud placed first over Koch, winning 53 percent of the vote to Koch's 33 percent, Gerdes's 8 percent, and Hug's 6 percent.[10][11] In the general election, Abboud defeated Koch by a wide margin, receiving 62 percent of the vote to his 38 percent.[10]
In 1990, Abboud ran for re-election to a third term, and was challenged by Gary Stroh, the former superintendent of Millard Public Schools, and contractor Gary Thompson.[12] Abboud narrowly placed first in the primary election, winning 47.4 percent of the vote to Stroh's 46.8 percent,[13] and they advanced to the general election.[14] In the general election, Abboud defeated Stroh by a thin margin, receiving 51 percent of the vote to Stroh's 49 percent.[13][15]
Abboud ran for re-election in 1994 and won re-election without opposition.[16][17] He declined to seek a fifth term in 1998, citing his desire to spend time with his family.[18] He was succeeded by Pam Redfield, and resigned from office on November 16, 1998, so that Redfield would have a "head start and a month and a half seniority."[19][20]
References
[edit]- ↑ Lewis, Michael R., ed. (1997). Nebraska Blue Book 1996-97 (PDF). Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Abboud Files In 12th District". Omaha World-Herald. March 12, 1982. p. 4. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1982). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 11, 1982, General Election, November 2, 1982 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ Whitesides, John (April 30, 1982). "Door-to-Door Campaigning Typifies Legislative Race in 12th District". Omaha World-Herald. p. 8. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Whitesides, John (May 12, 1982). "Familiarity Bred Victories In State Senate Primaries". Omaha World-Herald. p. 29. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "14th Dist. Race Too Close to Call; 4 Incumbents, 2 Newcomers Win". Omaha World-Herald. November 3, 1982. p. 25. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Stern, Gabriella (January 13, 1986). "Senators Face Dilemma on Re-election". Omaha World-Herald. p. 14. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Sen. Abboud files for re-election to Unicam". Lincoln Star. February 24, 1986. p. 4. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Stafford, Ned (April 23, 1986). "Newcomers Challenge 2 Favorites". Omaha World-Herald. p. 18. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1986). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 13, 1986, General Election, November 4, 1986 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ Thomas, Fred (May 14, 1986). "Metro Legislative Battles Brewing". Omaha World-Herald. p. 24. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Anderson, Julie (April 28, 1990). "Drug Fight, Education Targeted in Campaign". Omaha World-Herald. p. 38. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1990). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 15, 1990, General Election, November 6, 1990 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ "Abboud, Stroh Advance in District 12". Omaha World-Herald. May 16, 1990. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Anderson, Julie (November 7, 1990). "Abboud Holds On, Wins 3rd Term". Omaha World-Herald. p. 22. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Candidates toss in hats on final day". Grand Island Independent. March 12, 1994. p. 3-A. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Beermann, Allen J. (1994). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 10, 1994, General Election, November 8, 1994 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 7, 2026.
- ↑ Kotok, C. David (February 18, 1998). "Abboud Decides Against Fifth Legislative Term". Omaha World-Herald. p. 18. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Reed, Leslie (November 14, 1998). "Abboud Yields Seat to His Successor". Omaha World-Herald. p. 27. Retrieved April 7, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ O'Donnell, Patrick J., ed. (1999). Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska: Ninety-Sixth Legislature, First Special Session (PDF). Vol. 1. p. 2. Retrieved April 6, 2026.