Harold Moylan

In 1964, following redistricting, Moylan ran for the state legislature from the 6th district.^[2] He faced a crowded primary, and ran against retired fire captain Salvatore Turco, engineer Wallace Rankin, printer Frank Riha, salesman Harold Kelly, accountant Harry Roach, and former Omaha City Commissioner Arthur Hanson.^[4] In the primary election, Moylan narrowly placed first, winning 29 percent of the vote to Rankin's 27 percent,^[5] and they advanced to the general election.^[6] Moylan defeated Rankin by a wide margin, winning 58 percent of the vote to his 42 percent.^[5][7]

Moylan ran for re-election to a four-year term in 1966.^[8] He was challenged by accounting clerk Gerald Mathews, fireman James Daniel McKernan, and conservative activist George Thomas.^[9] Moylan placed first in the primary by a wide margin, winning 64 percent of the vote.^[10] He advanced to the general election with Thomas, who received 17 percent of the vote, and defeated him in a landslide, winning re-election 72–28 percent.^[10]

In 1970, Moylan sought a third term,^[11] and was opposed by attorney Howard Kaiman.^[12] Moylan placed first over Kaiman in the primary, receiving 73 percent of the vote to his 27 percent, and handily won the general election with 71 percent of the vote.^[13][14]

Moylan ran for a fourth term in 1974.^[15] He was challenged by Kaiman, in a rematch of their 1966 race, as well as businessman Richard Giblin and real estate investor George Kelly.^[16] Moylan won 51 percent of the vote in the primary election, and proceeded to the general election with Giblin, who placed second and won 25 percent of the vote.^[17][18] Moylan defeated Giblin in the general election, winning his fourth term with 59 percent of the vote.^[17][19]

In 1978, Moylan declined to seek re-election to a fifth term.^[20]

Moylan died on November 18, 1978, several weeks prior to the end of his term in the legislature.^[21] Following his death, Governor J. James Exon appointed his widow, Margaret, to serve out the remaining month of his term.^[22]