Dave Newell

Newell was born in Oakland, California, in 1946.^[1] He graduated from Bancroft High School, and then attended Norfolk Junior College, graduating with his associate's degree in 1967.^[1] Newell later attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), receiving his bachelor's degree in education in 1971.^[1] He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War,^[1] and upon returning, worked as an administrative assistant to the director of the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services and as a union representative for AFSCME.^[2] Newell served as the president of the Nebraska Young Democrats^[3] and enrolled in graduate-level coursework in history at UNO.^[1]

In 1976, Newell challenged incumbent State Senator George Syas for re-election.^[4] Syas, who represented the Omaha-based 13th district, had served since 1950 and was seeking his eleventh term in the legislature.^[2] Syas placed first in the primary by a wide margin, winning 65 percent of the vote to Newell's 35 percent.^[5] In the general election, however, Newell narrowly defeated Syas, winning 51–49 percent.^[5][6]

Newell ran for re-election in 1980.^[7] He was challenged by Syas in a rematch of their 1976 campaign, with Syas attacking Newell for being a "liberal spender" in the legislature.^[8] In the primary, Newell placed first, winning 55 percent of the vote to Syas's 45 percent.^[9] Newell again defeated Syas by a narrow margin in the general election, winning 51 percent of the vote to Syas's 49 percent.^[9][10] He declined to seek a third term in 1984.^[11]