George Gerdes (politician)

Gerdes was born in Alliance, Nebraska, in 1898.^[1] He graduated from the Nebraska School of Agriculture and served in World War I.^[1] Gerdes returned to Alliance and farmed wheat, serving as vice chairman of the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association.^[1] Gerdes was the chairman of the Panhandle Rural Electrification Membership Association, which helped bring electricity to rural areas in the Panhandle.^[2] He was active in the Nebraska Republican Party, and was elected as a delegate, along with his wife, to the post-primary county convention in 1956.^[3]

In 1958, State Senator J. Monroe Bixler opted to run for State Treasurer rather than seek re-election.^[4] Gerdes ran to succeed him in the 41st district, which included Box Butte, Dawes, and Sioux counties.^[2] No candidates filed to run against him, and he was elected unopposed.^[5][6]

Gerdes was re-elected without opposition to a second term in 1960,^[7] and a third term in 1962.^[8]

In 1964, following redistricting, Gerdes ran for re-election in the 49th district.^[9] No candidates filed to run against him, and he was nominated without opposition at the primary election.^[10] However, a week before the general election, rancher Earl Henderson launched a write-in bid against Gerdes.^[11] Gerdes won re-election in a landslide, receiving 72 percent of the vote to Henderson's 28 percent.^[12][13]

Gerdes ran for a fifth term in 1968.^[14] He was challenged by Box Butte County Commissioner Leslie Stull and Chicago and North Western Railway conductor Albert Reimenschneider.^[15] Gerdes placed first in the primary election, receiving 44 percent of the vote, and he advanced to the general election with Stull, who placed second with 38 percent.^[16][17] Gerdes ultimately lost re-election to Stull by a narrow margin, receiving 98 fewer votes than him.^[16][18]

Gerdes died on August 17, 1973.^[19]