David Stahmer
David Stahmer | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district | |
| In office January 5, 1971 – January 8, 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Donald Troudt |
| Succeeded by | Warren Swigart |
| Member of the Omaha City Council from the 1st district | |
| In office June 8, 1981 – June 10, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Joe Friend |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 7, 1927 |
| Died | November 27, 1997 (aged 70) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Omaha, University of Denver (A.B.) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Marine Corps |
David H. Stahmer (September 7, 1927 – November 27, 1997) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district from 1971 to 1975 and as a member of the Omaha City Council from the 1st district from 1981 to 1985.
Early life
[edit]Stahmer was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1927.[1] He attended Omaha public schools and then attended the University of Omaha before graduating from the University of Denver with his bachelor's degree in 1950.[1] After returning to Omaha, he worked for Industrial Electrical Works, which his father founded.[2] Stahmer served in the Marine Corps and the Navy Reserve.[2]
In 1961, Stahmer ran for the Omaha City Council for one of seven at-large seats.[3] He placed ninth in the primary election,[4] and advanced to the general election, where he narrowly lost, placing eighth.[5]
Stahmer was elected to the Omaha School Board in 1962,[6] but resigned in 1964 to run for the state legislature.[7]
Nebraska Legislature
[edit]In 1964, following redistricting, Stahmer ran for the state legislature from the 8th district.[7] He faced a crowded, fifteen-candidate field, and narrowly placed second, winning 18 percent to Pat Moulton's 33 percent.[8][9] They advanced to the general election, which Moulton won in a landslide, defeating Stahmer with 65 percent of the vote.[8]
Moulton declined to seek another term in 1970, and resigned in 1969 due to ill health.[10] Stahmer ran to succeed him.[11] In the nonpartisan primary, Stahmer faced Donald Bell, the owner of a beauty salon and modeling school; Don Skomal, the sales manager for an insurance company; and Donald Troudt, a telephone company salesman.[12] During the campaign, Governor Norbert Tiemann appointed Troudt to serve out the remaining year of Moulton's term.[13] Stahmer narrowly placed second in the primary, receiving 34 percent of the vote to Skomal's 36 percent, while Troudt placed third with 17 percent.[14][15] In the general election, Stahmer defeated Skomal, winning 58 percent of the vote to Skomal's 42 percent.[14]
Post-legislative career
[edit]In 1974, Stahmer declined to seek a second term, and instead ran for State Auditor.[16] In the Democratic primary, Stahmer faced Pat Daughtery, who ran a collection agency, and former State Treasurer Richard Larsen.[17] He placed third in the primary, receiving 29 percent of the vote to Larsen's 37 percent and Daugherty's 34 percent.[18][19]
Stahmer ran for the Omaha City Council from the newly created 1st district in 1981.[20] The 1981 elections were the first to take place under districts following the passage of a state law in 1979 that required district-level elections.[21] Prior to the primary election, Stahmer filed a lawsuit against the districts, which he argued were "gerrymandered" to favor the incumbent councilmembers.[22] Stahmer dropped his challenge on February 18, 1981, after a district court judge refused to halt the use of the district boundaries.[23]
In the primary election, Stahmer faced seventeen opponents, including incumbent City Councilwoman Mary Kay Green.[24] He placed first in the primary, winning 36 percent of the vote, and advanced to the general election with Dorothy Daley, a teacher and civic activist who received 26 percent.[25][26] He narrowly defeated Daley in the general election, winning 51–49 percent.[27][28]
Stahmer developed a reputation for idiosyncratic ideas on the City Council, and was referred to as an "adrenalin pill" and "idea person" for proposing controversial policies.[29] He declined to seek re-election in 1985,[29] explaining that he "never believed in running for the same job twice," so that elected bodies could "change personalities."[2]
Death
[edit]Stahmer died on November 27, 1997.[2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Nebraska Blue Book 1972 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1973. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Alexander, Deborah (November 28, 1997). "Ex-State Senator Stahmer Dies". Omaha World-Herald. p. 45. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Good Government Indorses 16 for City Council". Evening World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. March 14, 1961. p. 3. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Nominations for Mayor Go to Green, Dworak: 3 Incumbent Councilmen Lead Voting". Omaha World-Herald. April 5, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "7 Councilman Hold Places". Omaha World-Herald. May 18, 1961. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Official Election Results". Evening World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. November 16, 1962. p. 8. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Story Brings 3 Candidates". Evening World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. February 10, 1964. p. 6. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 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 April 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Five Douglas Senators Win". Evening World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. May 13, 1964. p. 18. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Pat Moulton Quits Senate". Omaha World-Herald. December 16, 1969. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Stahmer Files As Candidate". Omaha World-Herald. January 15, 1970. p. 2. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Who's Who In the May 12 Primary". Omaha World-Herald. May 6, 1970. p. 79. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Two Named Legislators By Tiemann". Omaha World-Herald. February 20, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Marsh, Frank (1970). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 12, 1970, General Election, November 3, 1970 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Incumbent Troudt Runs Third". Omaha World-Herald. May 13, 1970. p. 7. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Stahmer Files As Demo For State Auditor's Post". Lincoln Star. March 6, 1974. p. 6. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Howard, Edward W. (May 4, 1974). "Handshake and familiar name may win it for Frank". North Platte Telegraph. p. 4. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Beermann, Allen J. (1974). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 14, 1974, General Election, November 5, 1974 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Douglas, Morrison Are the Winners". Grand Island Independent. May 15, 1974. p. 3. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Stahmer Seeks City Council Seat". Omaha World-Herald. October 1, 1980. p. 4. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ King, Larry (August 30, 1979). "Two of 4 Council Members In Same District Complain". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Stahmer Suit Calls District Redrawing 'Gerrymandering'". Omaha World-Herald. February 3, 1981. p. 4. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Stahmer Drops District Challenge". Omaha World-Herald. February 18, 1981. p. 8. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "A Look at the Candidates: First District". Omaha World-Herald. April 2, 1981. p. 10. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "How Omahans Voted". Omaha World-Herald. April 8, 1981. p. 12. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Ulmer, Dick (April 8, 1981). "School Board Link For 3 Council Seats". Omaha World-Herald. p. 4. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Legislative Ties Are Stahmer's Priority". Omaha World-Herald. May 13, 1981. p. 9. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Kotok, C. David (May 13, 1981). "New Council Makes History In Wake of District Elections". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Goodsell, Paul (June 10, 1985). "Stahmer, Mrs. Findlay Played Different Roles in City Council Tenure". Omaha World-Herald. p. 14. Retrieved April 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.