Jerry Chizek
American politician (1936–2014)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gerald E. "Jerry" Chizek (September 28, 1936 – May 26, 2014) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 31st district from 1984 to 1993.
Jerry Chizek | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 31st district | |
| In office December 4, 1984 – January 6, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Gordon McDonald |
| Succeeded by | Kate Witek |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 28, 1936 |
| Died | May 26, 2014 (aged 77) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Connie Woodward (m. 1959) |
| Children | 6 (Bill, Cathy, Mary, Phil, Jim, David) |
| Education | University of Omaha |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1958–1960 |
| Unit | 101st Airborne Division |
Early career
Chizek was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Omaha South High School, later attending the University of Omaha.[1] He served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1960 in the 101st Airborne Division.[1][2] Chizek worked for Northwestern Bell, and served as the president of the Local 7400 of the Communications Workers of America.[3]
In 1970, Chizek ran for one of two seats on the Metropolitan Utilities District Board.[2] However, he was not nominated in the primary election and did not advance to the general election.[4]
Upon the election of Democrat J. James Exon as Governor in 1970, he appointed Chizek as the state Labor Commissioner, succeeding Tom Doyle.[5] Chizek served during both of Exon's terms as governor, and resigned at the end of 1978 after Republican Charles Thone was elected governor.[6]
Nebraska Legislature
In 1984, State Senator Gordon McDonald, who had been appointed to the legislature in 1983 to fill out the remainder of Steve Wiitala's term, declined to run for a full term, and recruited Chizek to succeed him.[7] In the primary election, Chizek faced insurance agent Chuck Sigerson, the former Chairman of the Douglas County Republican Party, and McDonald's name remained on the ballot.[7] Chizek placed first in the primary election, receiving 58 percent of the vote to Sigerson's 31 percent and McDonald's 11 percent.[8] In the general election, Chizek defeated Sigerson by a wide margin, receiving 57 percent of the vote to Sigerson's 43 percent.[8] After Chizek's victory, McDonald resigned from the legislature on December 3, 1984, and Governor Bob Kerrey appointed Chizek to serve out the remaining days of McDonald's term on December 4.[9]
Chizek ran for re-election to a second term in 1988,[10] and was challenged by David Michael Dulaney, an engineer at WOWT.[11] Chizek won 80 percent of the vote in the primary election, and was re-election in the general election in a landslide, winning 77–23 percent.[12]
He declined to run for a third term in 1992.[13]
Post-legislative career
After leaving the legislature, Chizek registered as a lobbyist,[14] and in 1996, was named as the executive director of the Nebraska Sheriffs' Association.[15] He later moved to his family's cabin in Longville, Minnesota, where he was the director of the local airport authority and was hired as a lobbyist for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.[16]
Death
Chizek died of liver cancer on May 26, 2014.[16]