Jack Mills (Nebraska politician)
American politician (1937–2019)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jaclund "Jack" Dale Mills (August 22, 1937 – February 14, 2019) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 44th district from 1975 to 1978.
Jack Mills | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 44th district | |
| In office January 8, 1975 – September 1, 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Ramey Whitney |
| Succeeded by | Shirley Parks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 22, 1937 |
| Died | February 14, 2019 (aged 81) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Norma Thorell Swanson
(m. 1976) |
| Children | 4 (Kevin, Melanie, Jody, Stephanie) |
| Occupation | Farmer, lobbyist |
Early life
Mills was born in Holdrege, Nebraska, in 1937, and grew up in Colorado and Nebraska, graduating from Superior High School.[1][2] He settled in Big Springs, grew dryland wheat, sold grain and fertilizer, and worked for Dorn Elevator as a manager.[3] Mills served on the Big Springs Board of Education from 1971 to 1974.[1][3]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1974, State Senator Ramey Whitney declined to seek re-election, and Mills ran to succeed him in the 44th district, which included Arthur, Chase, Deuel, Dundy, Garden, Hitchcock, Keith, and Perkins counties in western Nebraska.[3] In the primary, he faced minister T. J. Fraser and Herbert Hughes, a wheat farmer.[4] Mills placed first in the primary, winning 40 percent of the vote to Hughes's 34 percent and Fraser's 26 percent.[5][6] Though the race was formally nonpartisan, Hughes was a Republican, and endorsed by Whitney as his successor, and Mills was a Democrat.[7] Mills defeated Hughes by a wide margin, receiving 60 percent of the vote to Hughes's 40 percent.[5][7]
Mills declined to seek a second term in 1978, citing "personal and business responsibilities."[8]
Post-legislative career
In August 1978, Mills was hired by the Nebraska Association of County Officials as its executive director, succeeding former State Senator Gerald Stromer.[9] He resigned from the legislature on September 1, 1978.[10] He served as executive director of the association until he retired on June 30, 2000.[2] Mills also served on the board of directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, including as chief executive officer and as chairman of the board, ultimately retiring in 2012.[2]