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Harry Chronister

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Harry Chronister
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 18th district
In office
June 22, 1979  January 7, 1987
Preceded byWilliam Hasebroock
Succeeded byStan Schellpeper
Personal details
Born(1922-09-30)September 30, 1922
DiedSeptember 16, 2006(2006-09-16) (aged 83)
PartyRepublican
Spouse
Katherine Coufal
(m. 1946)
Children3 (Mary, Mark, Janet)
EducationSpartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
OccupationAgribusiness, flight instructor

Harry Chronister (September 30, 1922  September 16, 2006) was a Republican politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 18th district from 1979 to 1987.

Early career

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Chorister was born in Schuyler, Nebraska, and graduated from Schuyler High School.[1] He attended the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and worked as a flight instructor, and was elected to the Schuyler City Council and on the city school board.[1]

Nebraska Legislature

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In 1979, State Senator William Hasebroock died, and Governor Charles Thone appointed Chronister to serve until a special election could be held in 1980, passing over Hasebroock's widow, who requested the appointment.[2] He was sworn in on June 22, 1979.[3]

Chronister ran to serve out the remaining two years of Hasebroock's term in 1980,[4] and was challenged by Schuyler Mayor Jeffrey Pokorny, former Stanton County Sheriff Emil Christensen, and write-in candidate Ron Tuma, a farmer.[5] Chorister placed first in the primary,[6] receiving 37 percent of the vote to Pokorny's 34 percent, and both advanced to the general election.[7] Chronister narrowly defeated Pokorny, winning 51–49 percent.[6][8]

In 1982, Chronister ran for re-election to a full term.[9] He was challenged by Pokorny, in a rematch of their 1980 race, and disbarred attorney Ken Michaelis.[9] Chronister placed first in the primary by a wide margin, receiving 56 percent of the vote to Pokorny's 25 percent and Michaelis's 19 percent.[10] Chronister and Pokorny advanced to the general election again,[11] where Chronister won in a landslide, receiving 61 percent of the vote to Pokorny's 39 percent.[10][12]

Chronister declined to seek re-election in 1986.[13]

Death

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Chorister died on September 16, 2006.[14]

References

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  1. 1 2 Sasso, Lois A., ed. (1985). Nebraska Blue Book 1984-85 (PDF). Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. p. 271. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  2. "Schuyler Man Tabbed For Seat in Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. June 22, 1979. p. 40. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  3. O'Donnell, Patrick, ed. (1994). Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska: Eighty-Sixth Legislature, Second Session (PDF). Vol. 1. p. 41–42. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  4. Thompson, David (February 29, 1980). "Newcomers, Incumbents Mix Filings". Omaha World-Herald. p. 6. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  5. Sittler, Dave (May 4, 1980). "Race for 18th district seat could be 'Schuyler Shootout'". Lincoln Star. p. 18. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  6. 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 27, 2026.
  7. "Chronister to face Pokorny for 18th Legislative Seat". Schuyler Sun. May 15, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Chronister beats Pokorny for Legislative position". Schuyler Sun. November 6, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 "Two will challenge Chronister for 18th District Legislative seat". Schuyler Sun. March 18, 1982. p. 1. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  10. 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 March 27, 2026.
  11. "Schuyler men November opponents; Kruse and McLeish in sheriff race". Schuyler Sun. May 13, 1982. p. 1. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  12. Real, Tammy (November 3, 1982). "Senators Goll, Chronister register comfortable wins". Fremont Tribune. p. 3. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Chronister declines bid for 2nd term". Lincoln Star. February 21, 1986. p. 12. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.
  14. Winter, Abe (September 18, 2006). "Former lawmaker Chronister dies at 83". Omaha World-Herald. p. 5B. Retrieved March 27, 2026 via Newspapers.com.