Eric J. Will

Will was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Omaha Northwest High School in 1977.^[1] He attended the University of Southern California, graduating with his bachelor's degree in 1981, and later attended the Creighton University School of Law,^[1] receiving his Juris Doctor, though he did not practice law.^[2] He worked as a legislative aide to State Senator Vard Johnson and for the legislature's Revenue Committee, which was chaired by Johnson until he resigned, and later by Senator Tim Hall.^[3][4]

In 1990, Will ran for the legislature from the Omaha-based 8th district, challenging incumbent Republican Senator Sharon Beck, who had been appointed to replace Johnson when he resigned in 1989.^[3] Beck placed first in the primary election over Will, receiving 59 percent of the vote to Will's 41 percent.^[5] In the general election, Will narrowly defeated Beck, 53–47 percent, winning by 610 votes.^[5] The race was formally nonpartisan, but Beck was supported by the Nebraska Coalition for Life, a pro-life group, and Will "was endorsed as a pro-choice candidate."^[6]

Will ran for re-election in 1994, and was challenged by John Folsom, an investment consultant supported by local Republicans.^[7] Will placed first in the primary over Folsom, winning 54 percent of the vote to Will's 46 percent.^[8] In the general election, Folsom attacked Will over his drunken driving arrest from the previous year. Folsom alleged that Will had received free legal representation from his attorney, a registered lobbyist, which violated a state law prohibiting legislators from accepting more than fifty dollars from registered lobbyists. Will denied the charge, and responded that he had paid for his legal representation.^[9] Will ultimately defeated Folsom by a wide margin, winning re-election 55–45 percent.^[8]