Barry Reutzel
Barry Reutzel | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 15th district | |
| In office January 5, 1977 – January 7, 1981 | |
| Preceded by | E. Thome Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Lowell Johnson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 2, 1951 |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Midland College University of Nebraska–Lincoln (B.A.) |
Barry Reutzel (born March 2, 1951) is a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 15th district from 1977 to 1981.
Early life
[edit]Reutzel was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1951.[1] He attended Midland College, and graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with his bachelor's degree in political science.[1] After graduation, Reutzel worked for his family's business in Fremont, the R. E. Reutzel Company, a pipeline construction company.[2]
Nebraska Legislature
[edit]In 1976, Reutzel announced that he would run for the legislature in the 15th district.[2] Several weeks after Reutzel announced his campaign, incumbent State Senator E. Thome Johnson announced that he would not seek a third term.[3] In the nonpartisan primary, Reutzel faced Rupert Dunklau, a bank executive,[4] and Rodney Koyen, a farmer and businessman.[5] Dunklau narrowly placed first in the primary, winning 39 percent of the vote to Reutzel's 36 percent and Koyen's 24 percent.[6] They advanced to the general election, where Reutzel narrowly defeated Dunklau, winning 51–49 percent.[6][7]
Reutzel ran for re-election in 1980,[8] and was challenged by Lowell Johnson, a businessman and former field representative for Congressman Charles Thone.[9] In the primary election, Reutzel won 55 percent of the vote to Johnson's 45 percent, and they advanced to the general election.[10] Reutzel, a Democrat, was targeted by the Nebraska Republican Party for defeat,[11][12] and ended up losing to Johnson by a wide margin, receiving just 43 percent of the vote to Johnson's 57 percent.[10]
Post-legislative career
[edit]After leaving the legislature, Reutzel rejoined the family business, registered as a lobbyist, and worked for the Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association and the Nebraska Aviation Trade Association.[13][14]
Johnson declined to seek re-election to the legislature in 1992, and Reutzel ran to succeed him.[13] In the primary, he ran against businessman Don Claasen, grocer Ray Janssen, student David Morris, attorney Richard Register, and compliance specialist John Schauer.[14] Reutzel placed fifth in the primary, winning 12 percent of the vote to Janssen's 28 percent and Claasen's 22 percent.[15][16]
In 2010, former State Senator John DeCamp started a radio station to appeal to senior citizens, and Reutzel was hired as the communications director.[17]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Nebraska Blue Book 1978-1979 (PDF). Nebraska Legislative Council. 1979. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- 1 2 "Fremonter Files For Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. January 20, 1976. p. 2. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Sen. Johnson Plans Retiring From Unicam". Lincoln Star. February 10, 1976. p. 5. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Koyen enters legislative race". Fremont Tribune. March 1, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Dunklau in legislative race". Fremont Tribune. March 9, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1976). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 11, 1976, General Election, November 2, 1976 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- ↑ Laroche, Leslie (November 3, 1976). "Reutzel wins tight legislature race". Fremont Tribune. p. 1. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Sen. Reutzel Files For Second Term". Omaha World-Herald. January 8, 1980. p. 26. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Johnson to Run In 15th District". Omaha World-Herald. February 8, 1980. p. 3. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1980). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 13, 1980, General Election, November 4, 1980 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ↑ Collison, Kevin (November 5, 1980). "Johnson says oragnization key to victory". Fremont Tribune. p. A1. Retrieved March 5, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Thompson, David (November 6, 1980). "Defeat of Incumbent Senators Was Unmatched in 30 Years". Omaha World-Herald. p. 10. Retrieved March 5, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Frykberg, Dru (March 14, 1992). "Former state senator files for 15th District". Fremont Tribune. p. 1A. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Hammel, Paul (April 21, 1992). "Voters to Seek Replacements For 2 Veteran State Senators". Omaha World-Herald. p. 15. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Beermann, Allen J. (1992). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 12, 1992, General Election, November 3, 1992 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- ↑ Hammel, Paul (May 13, 1992). "All 16 Incumbents Win Renomination in Legislative Contests". Omaha World-Herald. p. 7. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Korbelik, Jeff (January 4, 2010). "DeCamp gambles on station geared toward local seniors". Lincoln Journal Star. p. D2. Retrieved April 12, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.