David Bernard-Stevens

In 1987, following the resignation of State Senator James Pappas from the legislature, Governor Kay A. Orr appointed Bernard-Stevens to fill the vacancy.^[4] Bernard-Stevens was sworn in on December 30, 1987.^[5] His appointment was condemned by local Republicans, who criticized Orr for not appointing Pappas's 1986 opponent, Bill Hord, to fill the vacancy.^[4]

A special election was held in 1988 for the remaining two years of Pappas's term, and though Hord was expected to run against Bernard-Stevens in the 1988 special election,^[2] he declined to run and instead decided to serve as Bernard Stevens's campaign manager.^[6] Bernard-Stevens was challenged by former North Platte Mayor Carl Bieber,^[7] and narrowly placed first in the primary, winning 54 percent of the vote to Bieber's 46 percent.^[8] They both advanced to the general election,^[9] where Bernard-Stevens won, 54–46 percent.^[8]

Bernard-Stevens ran for a full term in 1990.^[10] He was challenged by Lincoln County deputy sheriff Steven Bade,^[11] who attacked Bernard-Stevens for his opposition to a measure to require parental notification before minors could receive abortions.^[12] Bernard-Stevens was endorsed by Nebraska Voters for Choice, while Bade was supported by pro-life groups.^[13] In the primary election, Bernard-Stevens placed first by a wide margin, receiving 67 percent of the vote to Bade's 33 percent.^[14] They both advanced to the general election, where Bernard-Stevens won re-election in a landslide, 66–34 percent.^[14]

Bernard-Stevens ran for re-election in 1994, and was re-elected unopposed.^[15][16]

In 1996, Bernard-Stevens announced that he would resign from the legislature.^[17] He left office on August 15, 1996.^[18]

Following his resignation from the legislature, Bernard-Stevens was appointed the president of the North Platte Chamber of Commerce.^[19] He received his master's degree in leadership at Bellevue University and later started a leadership development company.^[2]