Jerry D. Miller

Jerry D. Miller (born August 24, 1942) is a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 37th district from 1984 to 1989.

Early life

Miller as born in Davenport, Nebraska, in 1942, and graduated from Davenport Community School.^[1] He graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with his bachelor's degree in agricultural economics,^[1] and worked as a farmer and seed salesman.^[2] Miller owned the D-D-J Company, a wholesale distributor of farming equipment, and served on the Davenport School Board.^[2]

Nebraska Legislature

In 1984, Miller challenged incumbent State Senator Martin Kahle for re-election in the 37th district,^[2] which included Buffalo, Franklin, Kearney, Nuckolls, and Webster counties. In the primary election, Kahle placed first by a wide margin, receiving 65 percent of the vote to Miller's 35 percent.^[3]

On October 2, 1984, a month prior to the election, Kahle died,^[4] leaving Miller unopposed in the general election.^[5] Kahle's name remained on the ballot, and Miller won the general election in a landslide, receiving 74 percent of the vote.^[3][6] Following the election, Governor Bob Kerrey, who had previously announced that he would not immediately appoint a replacement for Kahle,^[5] appointed Miller to serve out the remaining two months of Kahle's term after the election.^[7] Miller was sworn in on November 9, 1984.^[8]

Miller ran for re-election in 1988, and was challenged by Kearney County Attorney Doug Kristensen and souvenir company owner Nicholas Ponticello.^[9] In the primary election, Miller placed first over Kristensen, who won the support of the state Republican Party,^[10] receiving 51 percent of the vote to Kristensen's 47 percent and Ponticello's 2 percent.^[11][12] In the general election, Kristensen defeated Miller in a landslide, receiving 65 percent of the vote to Miller's 35 percent.^[11][13]

References

1. ^ Smith, Gail Lynn (ed.) (1987). Nebraska Blue Book 1986-87. Clerk of the Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
2. ^ "Davenport farmer seeks Kahle's Unicameral seat". Superior Express. March 22, 1984. p. 1. Retrieved April 6, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
3. ^ Beermann, Allen J. (1984). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 15, 1984, General Election, November 6, 1984. Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
4. ^ "State Senators Mourn Loss Of Kearney's Martin Kahle". Omaha World-Herald. October 4, 1984. p. 70. Retrieved April 6, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
5. ^ Schreiner, Bruce (October 10, 1984). "Kerrey: will remain active in ag policy". Kearney Hub. p. 7. Retrieved April 6, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
6. ^ "Miller is senator for 37th district". Kearney Hub. November 7, 1984. p. 6. Retrieved April 6, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
7. ^ "Miller sworn in as state senator". Lincoln Star. November 10, 1984. p. 12. Retrieved April 6, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
8. ^ O'Donnell, Patrick J. (ed.) (1985). Legislative Journal of the State of Nebraska: Eighty-Ninth Legislature, First Session. Vol. 1. p. 2–3. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
9. ^ Spencer, Craig (May 4, 1988). "Miller faces challenge in 37th District voting". Kearney Hub. p. 3A. Retrieved April 6, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
10. ^ Kotok, C. David (March 12, 1988). "Lack of Opponents Called Frustrating By Party Leaders". Omaha World-Herald. p. 17, 22. Retrieved April 6, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
11. ^ Beermann, Allen J. (1988). Official Report of the Nebraska State Canvassing Board, Primary Election, May 10, 1988, General Election, November 8, 1988. Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
12. ^ Cordes, Henry J. (May 12, 1988). "Nebraskans Give a Double Shot Of Confidence to State Legislators". Omaha World-Herald. p. 7. Retrieved April 6, 2026. – via Newspapers.com
13. ^ Cordes, Henry J. (November 9, 1988). "Election Returns Force Retirement on Some Outstate Legislators". Omaha World-Herald. p. 13. Retrieved April 6, 2026. – via Newspapers.com