Ira Paine

Paine was born in Cairo, Nebraska, in 1890, and grew up in Dalton, Pennsylvania.^[1] He attended Lackawanna Business College, and upon returning to Nebraska, worked for his family's company, the Paine Monument Company.^[2] He and his brother, H. B. Paine, purchased the store from their uncle and became owners of the company.^[2] Paine served as president of the company from 1932 until 1964, when it was sold.^[2]

In 1964, Paine announced that he would run for the legislature in the 35th district, which was based entirely in Hall County following redistricting.^[2] In the nonpartisan primary, he faced George Burr, an attorney; Don Elrod, a printer for the Grand Island Independent; Sam Stobbe, the former Hall County Sheriff; and former State Senator Walter J. Williams.^[3][4]

Paine placed first in the primary, winning 38 percent of the vote to Elrod's 28 percent,^[5] and they advanced to the general election. Though the race was formally nonpartisan, Paine was a Republican and Elrod was a Democrat.^[6] Paine narrowly defeated Elrod, winning 52–48 percent.^[5][6]

On March 8, 1966, Paine died several days after suffering a heart attack.^[7]