Walter Duda
Walter Duda | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 14th district | |
| In office July 13, 1981 – January 5, 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Fitzgerald |
| Succeeded by | Tom Doyle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 9, 1921 |
| Died | June 1, 2008 (aged 87) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Dorothy Duda (died 2008) |
| Education | Iowa State University |
Walter Duda (January 9, 1921 – June 1, 2008) was a Republican politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from 1981 to 1983.
Early life
[edit]Duda was born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1921,[1][2] and grew up in Omaha, graduating from Omaha Central High School.[1] He served in the Marines during World War II, and graduated from Iowa State University with his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.[1] He operated a corn farm and worked in real estate.[1]
In 1968, Duda ran for the Douglas County Board of Supervisors in the 3rd district, and won the Republican primary over Dexter Nygaard.[3] He faced incumbent Democratic Supervisor Dan Lynch in the general election.[4] Though Republicans won a majority on the board, Lynch narrowly defeated Duda.[5]
Duda ran again for the Board of Supervisors in 1970 for one of three at-large seats,[6] and won the Republican primary, along with insurance agent James Henderson and real estate salesman Harry Taylor, and they faced Democrats George Buglewicz, a sales manager; surveyor Bill Green; and incumbent Supervisor Jack Cavanahg.[7][8] All three Democratic candidates won, marking the first time since 1936 that the county board was constituted by members of one political party.[9]
Nebraska Legislature
[edit]In 1978, Duda challenged incumbent State Senator Thomas Fitzgerald for re-election in the 14th district, along with U.S. Air Force veteran Jackson Graham, Ku Klux Klan recruiter Herschel Nelson, and businessman Theodore Strasser.[10] Fitzgerald and Duda both received 35 percent of the vote in the primary, with Fitzgerald placing ahead of Duda by 2 votes,[11] and they advanced to the general election.[12] Fitzgerald narrowly defeated Duda in the general election, winning 52–48 percent.[13]
Fitzgerald was appointed to the Liquor Control Commission by Governor Charles Thone in 1981,[14] and Thone appointed Duda to serve out the remaining two years of Fitzgerald's term.[15] He was sworn in on July 13, 1981.[16] After the 14th district was relocated to Sarpy County following redistricting,[17] Duda declined to run for a full term in 1982.[18]
In 1984, Duda ran for the state legislature, seeking to succeed State Senator Dave Newell in the 13th district.[19] In the nonpartisan primary, he faced former Douglas County Commissioner Dan Lynch, who defeated him in 1968; Northwestern Bell employee William Hoffman; insurance agent Bob Garrett; and pharmacy owner Luke Coniglio.[20] Lynch placed first in the primary, winning 46 percent of the vote to Duda's 35 percent,[21] and they both advanced to the general election.[22] Lynch ultimately defeated Duda, winning 55 percent of the vote to Duda's 45 percent.[21][23]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 Palmer, Jane (June 3, 2008). "Walter Duda intended from an early age to farm". Omaha World-Herald. p. 4B. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Walter J. Duda". Ancestry.com. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Ostler Set for Shot at Courthouse". Omaha World-Herald. May 15, 1968. p. 4. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Claxton, Gary (November 1, 1968). "Republicans Hitting Age Issue in Douglas County Races". Lincoln Evening Journal. p. 14. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Ivey, James (November 6, 1968). "Courthouse Falls to GOP Power Play". Omaha World-Herald. p. 46025. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "County Race Brings Out 2 Republicans". Omaha World-Herald. February 13, 1970. p. 4. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Board Race Pairs Vacanti And Hassett". Omaha World-Herald. May 13, 1970. p. 6. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Who's Who In General Election". Omaha World-Herald. October 21, 1970. p. 51. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Democrats' Victory On Board Is Total". Omaha World-Herald. November 4, 1970. p. 2. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Fitzgerald Faces 4 Challengers in 14th District". Omaha World-Herald. April 29, 1978. p. 25. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Beermann, Allen J. (1978). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 9, 1978, General Election, November 7, 1978 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Fall Race to Mix Old, New". Omaha World-Herald. May 10, 1978. p. 6. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Recount Possible in 6th District Race for Legislative Seat". Omaha World-Herald. November 8, 1978. p. 7. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Fogarty, Thomas A. (July 13, 1981). "Fitzgerald succeeded by Duda". Lincoln Journal. p. 1. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Jordon, Steve (July 14, 1981). "Newly Named Senator Has 'No Plan, No Axes'". Omaha World-Herald. p. 4. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ O'Donnell, Patrick J., ed. (1981). Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska: Eighty-Seventh Legislature, First Special Session (PDF). p. 8. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ↑ Kotok, C. David (November 1, 1981). "Five to Seek Re-Election". Omaha World-Herald. p. 19. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Fogarty, Thomas A. (April 11, 1982). "Departing senators note their legislative education". Sunday Journal and Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. p. 3E. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Ex-Senator Seeks 13th District Seat". Omaha World-Herald. February 10, 1984. p. 6. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Taylor, John (May 11, 1984). "Candidates Match Diversity of 13th District". Omaha World-Herald. p. 48. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 Beermann, Allen J. (1984). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 15, 1984, General Election, November 6, 1984 (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ↑ Thomas, Fred (May 16, 1984). "2 Built Leads by Talking to Voters". Omaha World-Herald. p. 46. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ Whitesides, John (November 7, 1984). "Liberals May Gain in Legislature". Omaha World-Herald. p. 14. Retrieved April 16, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.