Fred Waggoner
OfficeMember of the Nebraska Legislature from the 29th district
Term startJanuary 1, 1957
Term endJanuary 6, 1959
PredecessorRobert Perry
SuccessorFerne Hubbard Orme
Birth dateOctober 21, 1895
Birth placeFortescue, Missouri
Death dateMarch 7, 1986 (aged 90)
Death placeGrand Island, Nebraska
EducationMaryville State College
University of Nebraska
PartyDemocratic
SpouseGwen Meyerhoff (m. 1923)
OccupationLife insurance agent, teacher

Fred Waggoner (October 21, 1895 – March 7, 1986) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 29th district from 1957 to 1959.

Early life

Waggoner was born in Fortescue, Missouri, in 1895, and attended Maryville State College and the University of Nebraska.[1] He worked as a teacher and life insurance agent in Maryville, Missouri, and served in the U.S. Army during World War I and World War II.[1][2][3] Waggoner moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, to serve as the regional insurance officer for the Veterans Administration.[2] Waggoner later worked as a private insurance agent in Lincoln.[1]

Nebraska Legislature

In 1956, Waggoner ran for the state legislature from the 20th district, which was based in Lancaster County, after State Senator Robert Perry announced he would not seek re-election.[4] Waggoner faced a crowded primary and placed second, winning 20 percent to Lincoln City Councilwoman Ferne Hubbard Orme's 46 percent.[5] They advanced to the general election,[6] where Waggoner narrowly won, defeating Orme by 19 votes.[5][7] Orme declined to seek a recount or election contest.[8]

Waggoner ran for re-election in 1958, and was challenged by Orme, who filed abasing him in a rematch of their 1956 contest;[9] businessman Donald DeVries; and Burlington Railroad employee V. J. Coffey.[10] Waggoner placed third in the primary, receiving 25 percent of the vote to DeVries's 30 percent and Orme's 49 percent,[11][12] one of three state senators statewide to lose in the primary election.[13]

Post-legislative career

Following Waggoner's defeat, he was one of four former state senators to oversee a recount of the 1958 gubernatorial election, along with fellow Democrat Frank Sorrell and Republicans Herbert Duis and Willard Waldo.[14] However, several days after the recount began and Democratic Governor Ralph Brooks remained in the lead, the legislature abandoned the recount.[15]

Death

Waggoner died on March 7, 1986.[3]

References

  1. ^ Nebraska Blue Book 1956. Nebraska Legislative Council. 1957. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  2. ^ "Fred Waggoner Named As VA Insurance Officer". Lincoln Star. May 4, 1946. p. 4. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  3. ^ "Fred Waggoner funeral Tuesday; former senator, insurance salesman". Lincoln Star. March 10, 1986. p. 14. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  4. ^ "Waggoner Files For Legislature". Lincoln Evening Journal. January 20, 1956. p. 2. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  5. ^ Marsh, Frank (1956). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 15, 1956, General Election, November 6, 1956. Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  6. ^ "Orme, Waggoner Top 2 in Field Of Seven Racing for Legislature". Lincoln Evening Journal. May 16, 1956. p. 6. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  7. ^ Campbell, Roy (November 29, 1956). "Canvass Shows No Change In State Legislative Election Race Results". Lincoln Star. p. 15. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  8. ^ "Mrs. Orme Not to Ask Vote Recount". Lincoln Evening Journal. November 25, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  9. ^ "Mrs. Fern Orme Completes Filing for 20th Dist. Seat". Lincoln Star. March 25, 1958. p. 7. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  10. ^ Person, Betty (April 4, 1958). "12 Incumbents, 1 New Candidate, Unopposed For State Legislature Seat". Lincoln Star. p. 9. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  11. ^ Marsh, Frank (1958). Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers of the State of Nebraska, Primary Election, May 13, 1958, General Election, November 4, 1958. Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  12. ^ "Waggoner Loses Legislature Bid; Mrs. Orme, Devries to Vie in Fall". Lincoln Evening Journal. May 14, 1958. p. 12. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  13. ^ "Bids of Three Senators Fail in Primary Election". Lincoln Evening Journal. May 14, 1958. p. 26. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  14. ^ Rall, Frank (February 23, 1959). "Governor Vote Recount Begins At Statehouse". Lincoln Evening Journal. p. 1. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
  15. ^ "Recount of ballots Is Brought to End". Grand Island Independent. February 27, 1959. p. 1. Retrieved April 14, 2026. – via Newspapers.com