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Sharon Beck (Nebraska politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sharon Beck
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district
In office
January 4, 1989 – January 9, 1991
Preceded byVard Johnson
Succeeded byEric J. Will
Personal details
Born(1937-11-14)November 14, 1937
Omaha, Nebraska
DiedDecember 26, 2013(2013-12-26) (aged 76)
Chattanooga, Tennessee
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Bill D. Beck
​
(m. 1956)​
Children4 (Clayton, Curtis, Clint, Christine)
EducationPeru State College
Doane College (B.A.)
Chadron State College (M.S.)
OccupationTeacher

Sharon Kay Reagan Beck (November 14, 1937 – December 26, 2013) was a Republican politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 8th district from 1989 to 1991.

Early career

[edit]

Sharon Reagan was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1937, and graduated from Bratton Union Rural Consolidated High School in 1955.[1] She later attended Peru State College from 1955 to 1957, and graduated from Doane College with her bachelor's degree in 1962.[1] She married Bill Beck in 1956, and had four children, later returning to school and graduating from Chadron State College with her master's degree in 1980.[1] Beck worked as a teacher, and taught English and literature at Midwestern Baptist Academy.[2] She was active in the local Republican Party, serving as a member of the Douglas County Republican Party Central Committee, and was a pro-life activist.[2][1]

Nebraska Legislature

[edit]

In 1986, Beck ran for the Nebraska Legislature against State Senator Vard Johnson, a Democrat, who represented the Omaha-based 8th district.[3] She was joined in the primary by attorney Horace Reynolds IV and railroad administrator George Davis.[4] Beck argued that Johnson had an "inconsistent approach" in the legislature, and attacked him for proposing a sales tax on utility services.[5] Johnson narrowly placed first in the primary, winning 40 percent of the vote to Beck's 39 percent,[6] and they both advanced to the general election.[7]

In the general election, Beck campaigned as a social conservative and a supporter of the death penalty, noting, "The unborn has no judge, no jury, no appeal[.]"[8] Johnson raised the most money out of any legislative candidate statewide, and significantly outraised and outspent Beck.[9] In the final days of the campaign, U.S. Senator Edward Zorinsky, a conservative Democrat, said that he "would vote for" Beck "if [he] lived in that district."[10] Ultimately, Johnson narrowly defeated Beck, winning re-election with 52 percent of the vote.[6][11]

In 1988, Johnson announced that he would resign from his seat in the legislature, effective 1989.[12] Governor Kay Orr appointed Beck as Johnson's successor,[13] and she was sworn in on January 4, 1989.[14]

Beck ran for re-election in 1990, and was challenged by Eric J. Will, a former legislative aide to Johnson.[15] In the primary election, Beck placed first over Will by a wide margin, winning 59–41 percent,[16] and they both advanced to the general election. The candidates' positions on abortion was a defining issue of the campaign; Beck was endorsed by the Nebraska Coalition for Life, while Will ran on his support for abortion rights.[17] Beck was narrowly defeated by Will, receiving 47 percent to his 53 percent.[16]

Death

[edit]

Beck died on December 26, 2013, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.[18]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 Prokop, Arlie, ed. (1989). Nebraska Blue Book 1988-89 (PDF). Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Gauger, Jeff (December 9, 1988). "Mahoney to Join OPPD Board; Mrs. Beck Named to Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Sharon K. Beck Is a Candidate". Omaha World-Herald. December 19, 1985. p. 17. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Schreiner, Bruce (April 27, 1986). "14 state lawmakers face contested races". Lincoln Journal. p. 1B. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Schinker, Nick (April 21, 1986). "Incumbent Target of 8th District Challengers". Omaha World-Herald. p. 15. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. 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 March 11, 2026.
  7. ↑ "V. Johnson Says Foe's Challenge Is Over". Omaha World-Herald. May 14, 1986. p. 11. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Kotok, C. David (October 28, 1986). "Vard Johnson, Mrs. Beck Square Off in Final Debate". Omaha World-Herald. p. 34. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Johnson Raises the Most Money Among Legislative Candidates". Omaha World-Herald. October 29, 1986. p. 28. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Citizen' Zorinsky Stands by Word And Says He Favors Sharon Beck". Omaha World-Herald. November 3, 1986. p. 14. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Taylor, John (November 5, 1986). "Vard Johnson Survives Challenge". Omaha World-Herald. p. 15. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Cordes, Henry J. (November 17, 1988). "Vard Johnson Resigns Seat In Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. p. 1. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ "Orr appoints Byars, Beck to legislative seats". Lincoln Star. December 10, 1988. p. 12. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ O'Donnell, Patrick, ed. (1989). Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska (PDF). Vol. 1. p. 6–7. Retrieved March 11, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Eric Will to Run For Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. December 29, 1989. p. 19. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. 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 March 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Up to eight new faces in next Legislature". Lincoln Journal. November 7, 1990. p. 15. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ Truax, Sue Story (January 20, 2014). "Love of politics propelled her to Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. p. 5B. Retrieved March 11, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
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